Winter 2022 is a challenging one. The usual cold weather is here, but on top of this, winter illnesses are having a real impact across Canterbury.

After a couple of years of closed borders, flu and other infectious illnesses are back, as well as infections we haven’t seen for some time, such as measles and whooping cough.

Alongside new COVID-19 variants, this is a recipe for a difficult winter here in Waitaha.

Be prepared

Winter illnesses don’t have to stop you doing the things you love. Keeping yourself well this winter is all about being prepared.

Vaccination is the best defence against many preventable illnesses. It’s essential that we are all up to date with our protection for flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses like measles. You can find out if you are up to date by talking to your GP or health provider.

Where can I get vaccinated?

It’s not too late to get your COVID-19 vaccination or booster. There are walk-in vaccination clinics around Canterbury, and look out for vaccination events happening near you this winter too. At many of these, you can also get a flu or MMR (measles) immunisation as well as your COVID vaccination.

Being fully vaccinated for COVID, including having a booster, helps protect you against reinfection and passing the virus on. Get your first, second or booster dose now if it is due. Find out if your booster is now due.

Flu can be a very serious disease for people whose immunity is already weakened by other conditions. Getting your flu vaccination helps to protect the ones you love.

Find out if you are eligible to get a free flu vaccine this year.

The flu vaccination is available from:

• many pharmacies
• your family doctor/general practice
• urgent care, accident and after-hours medical centres (but NOT at hospital)
• some work places (check with your employer).

Your winter-ready checklist

Protect the ones you love by making sure you’re winter-ready

COVID-19 has taught us a lot about how effective simple hygiene can be at protecting us from all airborne viruses, such as the flu.

Here’s some practical tips to keep healthy this winter:

1. Eat well and stay active. These play an important part in our overall health and wellbeing, including our ability to fight off illness. Getting a good night’s sleep also helps.
2. Get your Winter Wellness kit together. This might include painkillers, a thermometer, tissues, cold and flu medications, enough food and household items for a few days, and a good stock of the regular medicines you or your whānau will need.
3. Make sure you and your whānau are up to date with all available vaccinations against infectious diseases like influenza, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), chicken pox, whooping cough, pneumococcal diseases and COVID-19.
4. Wear a mask when you're out in public
5. Maintain good hand hygiene by washing and drying your hands thoroughly or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
6. If your symptoms worsen or you are concerned about the health of someone you care for, call Healthline on 0800 611 116, for free health advice 24/7, or your doctor.

When to seek help

When should you take some paracetamol, drink plenty of fluids and just get some rest – and when should you seek more specialist care?

You can go to our I'm not well, where do I go page for helpful advice when you’re feeling unwell.

Your local pharmacist is an expert in winter illnesses. Pop down to your local pharmacy – or have someone do it for you if you’re unwell. They can provide free advice and there are many minor ailments that can be treated with over-the-counter medicines.

If in doubt, call Healthline on 0800 611 116. They provide free health advice 24/7 – and if you do need to be seen, the clinicians at Healthline can tell you where to go.

If you have children/tamariki under 5 at home, Plunketline on 0800 933 922 also provides free health advice 24/7.

Health Navigator has plenty more great advice for winter wellbeing.

Noho ora i tēnei takurua - stay well this winter, Canterbury!