Colder weather also brings along a nasty passenger – the flu.

Influenza infection rates are generally highest in children and healthy children are the major cause of the spread of the virus in the community.  Around 80 percent of people infected show no or minimal symptoms so you can spread the flu bug without knowing you have it – and the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable.

Canterbury District Health Board is urging you to protect your whānau and the wider community by getting your flu shot as soon as possible. This year’s vaccines have been specially formulated for New Zealand and are expected to offer protection against the strain that was circulating in the Northern Hemisphere.

While flu shots are free for under 18s, they’re available for anyone for a fee from a doctor, nurse or some pharmacists. You or your whānau may qualify for a free shot as well – check out www.flufree.co.nz for more info and flu facts.  As you may have seen in the media, it’s been a terrible flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, which is a possible predictor for what we may see here.