This study aims to improve our understanding of which respiratory viruses are causing influenza-like illness in adults who seek help at community pharmacies. This includes people who may not be reached through existing systems, such as international visitors, people who aren’t enrolled with a General Practice (GP), people who face barriers to accessing a GP, and those whose symptoms don’t warrant seeing a GP.

New Zealand already has a system in which certain GP practices collect swabs to track respiratory viruses. However, the groups above are not captured by this system. By collecting swabs in pharmacies and comparing results with GP-based monitoring, this study will help fill that gap and support better preparation for future outbreaks and pandemics.