Wednesday 27 March 2019 11:23am
Influenza vaccinations will be available to all staff on the Dunedin campus from next week.
Influenza vaccinations were offered to high exposure risk staff on Monday, with the full programme to be rolled out on the Dunedin campus from next week.
There has been an unusually high number of influenza cases around the University and New Zealand already this year – and Otago’s Head of Health and Safety Compliance Andrea McMillan says the University is working on increased messaging to try to prevent and limit its spread.
It had been thought that the vaccine would not be available until April, but the team secured the vaccine earlier and on Monday held a clinic for high exposure risk staff in the Main Common Room of the University Union.
"We are very fortunate that the University offers the ‘flu vaccination free to staff. As you can imagine, the clinics are very busy ... To make things faster, if men could wear a t-shirt rather than a shirt and tie that would be a great help."
The University offers a free vaccination programme annually – with dates set for 2, 5 and 12 April on the Dunedin campus, plus more if required.
“We are very fortunate that the University offers the ‘flu vaccination free to staff,” Ms McMillan says. “As you can imagine, the clinics are very busy, so please be patient if you have to wait, we do our best. To make things faster, if men could wear a t-shirt rather than a shirt and tie that would be a great help!”
Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Symptoms include feeling extremely unwell, a sudden high temperature, headache, general aches and pains, tiredness and a sore throat.
She says no one know why the ‘flu has arrived earlier than expected, but her team meets regularly with Student Health Services and Public Health South to ensure they are up to date with the management of ‘flu and are able to assist the wider community to minimise its impact.
She says vaccination is the best protection, but working to prevent spread is vital too. Influenza is very infectious and easily spread to other people especially in the first five days of illness.
“If you feel unwell, stay at home,” she says.
She also urges people to maintain good hygiene around handwashing and the use of hand sanitiser.
Meanwhile, there have been confirmed cases of measles in the community.
Ms McMillan says measles is also a highly infectious disease, and vaccination is the best protection.
“If you were born after 1 Jan 1969, please check that you have had two MMR vaccinations. If not, please book an appointment with your GP.”
For more information on influenza click here.
For more information on measles click here.
Get your vaccination during a clinic day on the Dunedin campus:
Tue 2 Ap, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Fri 5 Apr, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Fri 12 Apr, 8:30 to 4:30pm
Main Common Room, University UnionOther campuses:
A similar programme will be available for staff on the University’s Wellington and Christchurch campuses, while staff at other centres (Invercargill, Auckland and elsewhere) are welcome to visit their GP for the vaccination and be reimbursed by contacting Cath or Andrea Directly, Email: cath.logan@otago.ac.nz or andrea.mcmillan@otago.ac.nz