More than one million people have had the flu vaccination this year - the highest number ever, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.
Last year 960,000 doses were distributed throughout the season.
District health boards, doctors, nurses and public health units had done a "great job" protecting over one million people from seasonal and pandemic flu this year, Mr Ryall said.
"I urge people to take up this offer (of free vaccination) while vaccine stocks last."
Pregnant women, children under five, overweight people and those with underlying medical conditions qualify for free vaccination.
The number of influenza-like illness has been increasing in the past two weeks and there have been 18 cases of swine flu this year, including one person admitted to intensive care.
NZPA