We're still taking bookings for flu vaccines and it's still a good time to get yours if you haven't already!
If you're coming in to see a GP or nurse anyway, you can ask them to also administer your flu vaccine during your appointment. The flu vaccine can be given at the same time as any other vaccines.
Otherwise, give our reception a call on 04 472 4266 to book a nurse appointment for your flu vaccination.
We're sending out reminders to as many people who are eligible for the funded flu vaccine as we can, but we can't get to everybody - so get in touch!
Flu vaccine options
Ages 6 months to 64 years: Influvac Tetra is available for free to those who are eligible or for purchase to those who aren't eligible for the funded vaccine. Check out the attached PDF on 2024 eligibility criteria.
We no longer have stock of the other flu vaccine available for 6 months to 64 years, Flucelvax, which is not funded for anyone but could be purchased. We may consider ordering more in if we get enough interest in it.
Ages 65+ years: Influvac Tetra is available for free, or you can pay to have FLUAD Quad instead. See the attached PDF for a comparison between Influvac Tetra and FLUAD Quad.
Influenza (flu) Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I’m fit and well – should I still get the flu vaccine?
Yes!
The flu can be a serious and deadly illness. More than 500 people die from the flu in Aotearoa NZ every year and thousands more are hospitalized. Even if you feel you’re fit and well, you can still suffer serious illness from the flu and/or pass it on to someone more vulnerable.
Getting the flu vaccine helps to protect yourself AND your whānau and wider community against influenza.
Why do I need to get another flu vaccine every year?
The protection given to you by the flu vaccine wanes in less than a year.
There are also many different strains of the influenza virus, and the most common strains circulating change from year to year. The annual flu vaccines are specially manufactured to protect you against the four most-common strains for that year.
Can my tamariki get the flu vaccine?
Yes – the flu vaccine is safe for use in pēpi and tamariki aged 6 months and older.
If your child is aged between 6 months and 9 years old and it’s their first time ever receiving a flu vaccine then they will need two doses given at least four weeks apart.
Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?
No. The flu virus used in the flu vaccine is inactivated, meaning it’s not live and you cannot get the flu from it.
I got the flu vaccine but still caught the flu, so why should I get the vaccine again?
There are a number of reasons why you might still catch the flu even after getting the flu vaccine:
It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to reach its full effect and you may catch the flu within that period
The vaccine is not 100% effective in preventing the flu
You may catch a less-common strain that the vaccine doesn’t protect against
Some common responses to the vaccine may seem flu-like but are not actually the flu
However, it’s still very important that you get the vaccine! Even if it doesn’t stop you from getting the flu, the flu vaccine significantly reduces your risk of serious flu-related complications or needing hospitalization.
If I can’t afford or don’t want to pay for the more expensive flu vaccine, is there any point in getting the “standard” flu vaccine instead?
Absolutely. While the more expensive flu vaccines can offer greater protection against the flu, the “standard” flu vaccine is still a very effective vaccine that will give you significant protection.
Can I book my whānau into one appointment?
We will do our best to see enrolled members of your whānau at the same time - but please call our nurse line to discuss with one of our nurses how many family members you would like to book and their ages, as this will help the nurse work out how much time they will need with you and your whānau. Vaccinations with tamariki can be more difficult and take more time - plus the nurse needs time to cover the required information about the flu vaccine and answer any questions you may have.
