Auckland children's hospitals call in extra paediatricians as flu cases surge

Auckland's two main children's hospitals, Kidz First and Starship, have each been admitting around 70 children weekly with severe flu-related respiratory problems for the past month, marking a sharp increase. To cope, senior medical officers such as Dame Teuila Percival and clinicians from psychiatry and other specialties are working additional shifts, and extra paediatricians have been drafted in. Elective operations continue to be deferred to prioritize beds for the influx.

The most critically ill children often require intensive-care breathing support, and a disproportionate number are Pasifika or Māori. Health officials note that free flu vaccinations for under-fives have just begun, but broader access is being advocated. Primary-care capacity is also strained, making timely doctor visits difficult for families with multiple sick children.