New Zealand / Health

More New Zealanders get flu shots in wake of pandemic

13:56 pm on 1 August 2020

More than half of Māori aged 65 and over have been vaccinated against the flu, after a government push.

Photo: 123rf

Last year, 45 per cent of kaumātua got a flu jab, but this year that increased to 58 percent.

Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare said it was the first time in history that more than half of koro and kuia had been protected against the flu.

Overall, more than a third of New Zealanders got a flu injection this year.

Henare said demand was incredibly high this year, as people were concerned about staying healthy in the face of Covid-19.

About 800,000 more flu vaccinations than normal were imported this year.