Flu season arrives in Mairangi Bay!

The first 2 days of this week have seen at least 10 patients present to MMC with symptoms consistent with influenza - and we have seen a consistent increase in cases like this over the last 3 weeks (we are an "influenza sentinel reporting site" for the Auckland Regional Public Health Service).

Many of the cases reported nationally are the B strain of flu, covered by the current vaccine. The B strains are very infectious and often affect children. The symptoms can be very severe.

If you haven't "quite got around to" having the flu shot, or maybe "you've never had the flu" or maybe you heard that "you can get flu from the vaccine" - well, maybe it's time to reconsider those views and bring your vulnerable body down to MMC for a last-minute boost to your influenza immunity. The vaccine remains free for the eligible groups until the end of August.

UPDATE 21/8/15 - FLU CASES CONTINUE TO POUR IN - see national flu rate report below. 

UPDATE 27/8/15 - FREE FLU VACCINATION NOW ENDS 11/9/15