Here in North Vancouver on the last day of January, our front yard is erupting with crocuses. (The anxiety of the Vancouver Olympic Committee, 12 days from the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, can be imagined.)
With spring already in the air, it takes an effort to remember that it's autumn in the southern hemisphere and a new flu season is looming. Via the Otago Daily Times: Swine flu jabs start. Excerpt:
Special clinics in Otago will begin delivering the free swine-flu vaccine from today for those considered most at risk of contracting the illness.
The monovalent (single-strain) pandemic vaccine is expected to be offered to up to 150,000 people across New Zealand.
Those eligible for the two-dose vaccine are health workers who may have direct contact with at-risk patients, pregnant women, or people under 65 with underlying health conditions including obesity, chronic, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease and cancer.
The Ministry of Health is recommending that those in these groups have the vaccine, followed by the seasonal influenza vaccine which will be designed to protect against swine flu and two other flu strains.
That vaccination is expected to be available in March.
Those receiving the monovalent vaccine will have two doses three weeks apart.
Otago and Southland medical officer of health Dr Marion Poore said the two district health boards were keen to offer early protection against swine flu to those who needed it most in case the next wave of the H1N1 virus arrived earlier than usual.
