Healthy children and adults are unlikely to be able to access a flu vaccine this winter

There are small supplies left around the country but Pharmac and the Ministry of Health have asked clinics to prioritise them to the highest risk groups.

Auckland University Immunisation Advisory Centre director, Nikki Turner, says to prevent the spread of flu, people should stay at home if they're sick, and keep their distance from young children and people with chronic illness.

She says people shouldn't go hospital visiting when they have a respiratory illness, should cover their mouth when they cough and use hand sanitiser and wash their hands well.