New Zealand : Thousands of Kiwis immunised against flu

Via TVNZ:

" Over 800,000 people have already been immunised against flu this year - more than in the entire 2008 flu season and around 100,000 more than at the same time last year.

The Ministry of Health said this would make a real contribution to lessening the risk of a big second wave of swine flu this year, as the 12 month anniversary of the first cases arriving in New Zealand rolls around.

The level of immunisation comes despite a backlog created by a week-long standstill at Europe's airports due to the Iceland volcanic eruption which interrupted the supply of vaccine.

Deputy director of public health Dr Darren Hunt said the next shipment should arrive from France to replenish the national stockpile early next week.

But there was still likely to be some shortfall in vaccine supply for a few days and possibly some delays in GPs being able to book people in for immunisation."