Those eligible for the free flu immunization have until July 31 to get themselves protected from the influenza viruses this coming year. The influenza virus is a highly contagious disease and people’s best bet is to get vaccinated.

The vaccination has a good level of protect for 60% and 95% of people. There are three types of viruses that people are expected to be faced with this year: H1N1, also known as swine flu, H3N2, and influenza B.

Last year, the flu season started in June and carried on until September. The warm weather will help keep the rate of infection down. Dr. Jennings explains that once the cold weather hits, people are forced to stay indoors. Once indoors, the spread of disease is much easier, since people are in unventilated rooms and viruses can be spread easily from person to person.

Last year, New Zealand had 15 people die from swine flu. A leading expert on swine flu states that there will be more people hospitalized and some may even die as a result of the viruses.

In Northland, there were 30 hospital admissions caused by pandemic influenza strain, one even lead to a death. Almost all of the people admitted to the hospital were unvaccinated.