RESPIRATORY NEWS

The Foundation has supplied two hundred asthma emergency kits to communities in need since the start of the year. One hundred kits, along with N95 safety masks and additional schools resources were sent to Gisborne to be distributed as needed to community organisations and schools following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle.

A further 100 kits were sent to decile one schools across New Zealand to provide vital health resources to coincide with the peak risk period for child asthma, weeks three and four of term one. These donations were made possible with funding from the N.H. Taylor Charitable Trust, the Lottery Grants Board and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori.

Prepare for flu season

More Kiwis will be eligible for free flu vaccines in the lead up to winter 2023. The Government is making vaccines free for children aged six months to 12 years and Māori and Pacific people aged 55 to 64 years from 1 April 2023. People with long-term respiratory conditions like asthma, and those over the age of 65 years will continue to be eligible for free vaccines. “With another difficult winter season expected, and our health system still dealing with impact of COVID-19, we would encourage everyone with a respiratory condition to get the annual flu vaccine. It is an important way to look after your respiratory health over winter,” says Foundation Chief Executive Letitia Harding.

COVID vaccine for pre-schoolers

Pre-schoolers with complex health conditions, including chronic lung conditions such as bronchiectasis and poorlycontrolled asthma, can now access a new version of the children’s COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine contains a lower dose of mRNA, formulated for this age group. It is a threedose course, with the second dose delivered three weeks after the first, and the final dose at least eight weeks after the second. Parents of eligible children can book the vaccine by calling Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.

New smoking laws and proposed vaping rules

The Foundation welcomed the passing of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill last year. This law introduces three major changes to protect Kiwis from the harms of tobacco. It bans the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, significantly reduces the number of retailers selling tobacco

and over time will significantly reduce the nicotine content in tobacco products.

In January, the Government asked for feedback on how the new smokefree laws will be implemented and on new proposals to restrict vaping. The vaping proposals included new safety rules for disposable vapes, rules on how vapes are marketed to young people and where specialist vape retailers can be located.

The Foundation sees these proposals as a good start, but in our submission to Government we have asked them to do more. We want to see the Government reduce the nicotine content in vapes to a maximum level of 20 mg/ml (down from 50 mg/ ml), dramatically reduce the number of vaping retailers in New Zealand and ban disposable vapes. You can read our submission here: https:// www.asthmafoundation.org. nz/stories/have-your-say-onvaping

Tips for dealing with mould

Recent devastating flooding events in the North Island means that mould is likely to be an even bigger problem for Kiwi homes in the coming colder months.

Mould is a common asthma trigger and recent local research has found that it can cause asthma to develop in children. Mould grows in damp, humid conditions and often thrives following flooding. In the clean-up phase after flooding, it is important to remove mould as quickly and safely as possible after drying out your home.

Be cautious about using bleach and other strong chemicals to remove mould, as the fumes can also trigger asthma. Either use diluted bleach, milder household detergents or a mix of vinegar and water (at a 80/20 ratio) to clean up mould. Avoid using dry brushes to remove mould as they can release more mould spores into the air.

The Foundation recommends that people with respiratory conditions, who are sensitive to mould, avoid removing mould themselves, or being present when mould is being removed. If this isn’t possible, then we advise wearing a respirator or a properly fitted face mask and rubber gloves when removing mould. Fabric face masks will not protect against mould spores.

To prevent mould from returning, be sure to keep your home well-ventilated either by using extractor fans, air conditioners or by regularly opening windows. Keep your furniture slightly pulled out from the wall so that air can circulate, preventing mould growth. Remember to wipe condensation from your windows and use a dehumidifier if you have one.

Life-extending CF drug funded

In March, Cystic Fibrosis advocates were thrilled by Pharmac’s announcement that it would fund the life-extending medication Trikafta. This decision follows years of advocacy from Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand and people living with CF. Trikafta has been shown to give people with CF, another 27 years of full health. Trikafta will be available from 1 April 2023 to people with CF, aged six and older, who meet certain criteria.

Epipens funded

Kiwis with serious allergies got some great news before Christmas when Pharmac announced it would fund Epipens from 1 February 2023. Epipens will be available to anyone who has experienced severe anaphylaxis or who is at ‘significant risk’. You can apply for funded Epipens through your GP. It is expected that 12,000 Kiwis with allergies will be eligible in the first year of funding, increasing to 17,000 after five years.

Gas stoves and asthma

How bad are gas stoves for people with asthma? This issue has been debated recently in international media after American research claimed that one in eight children develop asthma from pollution produced by gas hobs. Similar research from Asthma Australia estimates gas stoves are responsible for 12% of childhood asthma.

When gas burns it can produce air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and fine particulate matter. These pollutants worsen air quality and can trigger asthma flare-ups, as well as contributing to the development of asthma.

New Zealand does not have statistics on how much gas stoves contribute to asthma, but there is no doubt using unflued gas stoves or heaters impacts Kiwis’ respiratory health, says Otago University senior researcher Lucy Telfar-Barnard. The risk is particularly high when unflued gas appliances are used in small spaces with no ventilation as air pollutants can build up to high levels.

“If your child has asthma, and you have an unflued gas appliance, I would definitely recommend exchanging them for flued or electric alternatives and I would certainly encourage people to use extractor fans,” Lucy advises.

American research: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/75

Asthma Australia: https://asthma.org.au/about-us/media/new-report-goes-inside-australian-homes/