Half of the midwives employed by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board chose not to be vaccinated in-house against influenza this flu season.

BOPDHB statistics show 63 of the midwives working for the health board in autumn and winter, 33 were vaccinated by the board's Staff Wellness Team – 52 per cent.

Around 52 per cent of midwives employed by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board were vaccinated this flu season.

In comparison, in the Waikato 47 of the 128 midwives employed by the board were immunised this flu season.

BOPDHB planning and funding public health/health equity portfolio manager Brian Pointon says the 52 per cent vaccination rate for midwives is compared with the total staff vaccination rate of 65 per cent – more than 2000 staff.

'The result was the fourth highest of the 20 DHBs and above the national average of 61 per cent.

'Overall figures for those vaccinated – whether by our Staff Wellness Team or by other means – will be higher.”

Brian says about five per cent of staff were vaccinated by their GP or through another employer's vaccination scheme if they work on a casual basis.

'We estimate the true staff rate to be closer to 70 per cent. That said we would of course like to see more midwives vaccinated.

'Despite national vaccination levels falling slightly, this year our staff rates increased. Credit must go to our Staff Wellness Team who visited wards and departments at night and on weekends to make it easier for staff to be vaccinated during their busy workdays.”