Next winter’s seasonal influenza vaccine will include the swine flu strain and will be free to extra groups that are particularly at risk from swine flu, the government announced today.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said free vaccines would be available from next March to people over 65 as well as pregnant women, people who are morbidly obese and young children in deprived areas.

Seasonal flu immunisation is already free (paid for by the taxpayer) for all people over 65 and those between 6 months and 64 years old with certain pre-existing health conditions.

These conditions include chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer (excluding non-invasive basal and squamous cancers), autoimmune disease and immune suppression.

People can get vaccines by going to their General Practice or health provider; some employers will even pay for their employees to have a flu jab.

Mr Ryall warned that New Zealand is “most likely” to experience an upsurge in flu cases next autumn.

“The northern hemisphere is currently experiencing extraordinary levels of influenza, ahead of its normal influenza season, so it is possible that another wave will occur in New Zealand before next winter.”

He also said that if the pandemic becomes more severe before the seasonal flu vaccine becomes available, the Government has a contingency plan to immunise front-line workers who would be most at risk or who provide critical emergency services.

The extension in subsidised vaccination will cost around $2 million on top of the usual cost of $14 million per year.