Baker said the vaccine can be as effective as heart-attack medication for those infected by influenza.
He also said there were some vaccines – which are not funded – that were better suited for older people.
What’s happening with Covid?
Baker said the world was currently dealing with subvariants of Covid-19 and the latest wave was New Zealand’s biggest in 18 months.
“These waves are getting smaller, that’s the good news, but it is still causing what looks like two waves a year. It’s not seasonal at all – it can come in summer or winter – and has a mix of sub-types and sub-variants.”
Long Covid was also still a worry and could affect all age groups, Baker said.
“Quality of life is reduced and while there is often some improvement over time, many of these people in fact will have a severe long-term disability.
“And also like influenza, post-Covid infection, you are also at higher risk of having heart attacks and strokes, for example,” he said.
– RNZ