Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy remains a problem with misinformation circulating on social media – GP

By RNZ

Vaccine hesitancy remains a concern for health care professionals, as the flu vaccine and COVID-19[feminine booster deviennent disponibles pour se réunir avant l’hiver.

Des événements de vaccination ont eu lieu le week-end, où le Premier ministre Chris Hipkins et la ministre de la Santé Ayesha Verrall ont tous deux été piquées.

Le président de la médecine générale néo-zélandaise et médecin généraliste de Porirua, le Dr Bryan Betty, a déclaré que recevoir les deux vaccins en même temps ne présentait aucun risque.

Les personnes de 30 ans et plus, et les personnes plus jeunes présentant un risque plus élevé de maladie grave due à Covid, peuvent recevoir le vaccin bivalent tant qu’il s’est écoulé au moins six mois depuis leur dernier rappel ou test positif.

Le vaccin contre la grippe est gratuit pour les personnes appartenant à des catégories à haut risque et disponible pour toute personne âgée de plus de six mois.

Betty a dit Rapport du matin l’hésitation à la vaccination a continué d’être un problème – avec la désinformation circulant sur les réseaux sociaux.

Il était bien connu que ces virus étaient dangereux, a-t-il dit.

«Nous savons que la grippe, chaque année, tue environ 500 Néo-Zélandais si nous avons une saison grippale complète. Nous savons que Covid est potentiellement dangereux, en particulier pour les groupes à risque, alors oui, c’est une véritable inquiétude – le récit social.

“[The hesitancy] is definitely something that we see in practice and it’s definitely something that we end up having discussions about with patients.

Betty said the majority of patients chose to get vaccinated, and it was “exactly the right way to go”.

“Once you have these diseases, although there is a treatment, it can sometimes be very difficult, especially with older people or older age groups, there is a real risk of poor outcomes.”

Betty said another campaign about the dangers of these diseases could help.

Hipkins received his shots at a community vaccination event in Upper Hutt on Saturday morning.

He said it was important that eligible people get the shots before winter arrives.

“It will actually leave them better prepared for the winter season, will also help ease the pressure on the healthcare system.

“So there will be more events like this across the country where our local community health providers are encouraging people to get their flu shots and their Covid boosters and I would really encourage people to take this opportunity. “

Verrall also received both shots on Saturday and said many people could get the flu and Covid shots at the same time.

There were currently more than 700,000 Covid vaccines and 800,000 flu shots in the country, with more expected to arrive, she said.

The Covid-19 reminder is free.

The flu vaccine is free for people aged 65 and over, Maori and Pacific people aged 55 and over, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart problems, children aged six months to 12 years. seniors and people with mental health and addiction issues.

Many New Zealand workplaces are also funding a free flu shot for their employees.