Welcome to our 2nd Newsletter of 2020
 

Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) Update 23^rd March 2020 

• OH Well has now moved to Level 3-4 of the national pandemic plan 
• This will result in OH Well ceasing all occupational Health Services until after this level is reduced 

Please refer to the Ministry of Health website for any updates to the COVID-19 situation

2020 Influenza Season Important Update!

The Ministry of Health as of Friday 20^th March has advised that all non-funded influenza vaccinations were not able to be commenced until Tuesday 14^th April.  

The Ministry of Health has made this decision to ensure that all resources can be used to vaccinate health workers and front-line emergency staff as a priority.

 The announcement today regarding moving from Level 3 to 4 in the next 48 hours means that we are unable to accurately predict when we will be able to resume our influenza vaccination programme.

We will advise you when the situation changes 

OH Well wishes you the best in these difficult times and please do not hesitate to contact me by phone if I can be of any help,

Ingrid Barclay 

OHN/ Director 

OHWELL

Working with you
… to fight the flu

Influenza is more than just a ‘bad cold’. It is a highly infectious virus that can spread quickly through your workforce. Contact with the influenza virus is almost unavoidable, but by protecting your workplace you are also helping stop the spread of influenza to the vulnerable people in the wider community like pregnant woman, people with chronic conditions, the very young and elderly.

To maintain the most effective protection against influenza, annual immunisation is required. The flu virus can change yearly, and new strains can emerge to which people are not immune. It takes around two weeks to develop immunity once vaccinated. This is an inactive vaccine so you will not “catch the flu” by being vaccinated.

We anticipate our flu vaccination programme commencing in April 2021. It is recommended that your vaccination programme commences as soon as possible, to ensure your staff are protected before the flu season arrives. Our team of experienced registered nurses are authorised to give the vaccine by the Medical Officer of Health.

We offer a convenient onsite service therefore reducing down time for your company. A flu voucher option will also be available for staff who are unable to make an appointment due to illness or annual leave. These vouchers can be redeemed at any participating Unichem or Life Pharmacy in the Christchurch area as well as in one of OH Well drop in clinics.

This year, the Ministry of Health is offering the Quadrivalent (four strain) vaccine. The Quadrivalent vaccine contains:

• A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
• A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus
• B/Washington/02/2019-like virus
• B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus

To ensure the safety of your staff OH Well uses 2 registered nurses when carrying out vaccinations.

To book dates on our vaccination calendar, please call us on 03 377 2661 or email us.