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It's time for your flu shot
You or your whānau (family) may qualify for a free ‘flu’ or influenza shot.
Flu immunisation is free for New Zealand residents, citizens and some visa holders from a doctor, nurse or qualified vaccinating pharmacist from April until the end of December, if you’re in one of these groups:
- Anyone aged 65 years or over.
- Pregnant women (any stage of pregnancy).
Flu immunisation is also free but only from a doctor or nurse if you're in one of the following groups:
Measles scare prompts immunisation rethink
For more information about the MMR vaccine, visit here.
- People under 65 years of age (including children) with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, chest or breathing problems (including asthma that requires regular preventive therapy), kidney disease and most cancers
- Children aged four and under who have been hospitalised for chest or breathing problems or have a history of significant chest or breathing-related illnesses.
Even if you don’t qualify for free immunisation, you may still be able to get it free from your employer. Flu shots are also available to anyone, including children, for a fee from doctors, nurses and some pharmacists.
The finding is especially important for people aged 65 years and over. This group experiences up to 90% or flu-related deaths and more than half of flu-related hospital stays. Getting an influenza or 'flu' shot may reduce the severity of the infection, even when the vaccine doesn't prevent the influenza virus itself, a recent study has shown.
Even if you don't qualify for free immunisation, you may still be able to to get one free from your employer. Flu shots are also available for anyone, including children, for free from a doctor, nurse or some pharmacists.
The two funded flu vaccines this year will contain four inactivated virus strains, specially formulated for the New Zealand 2019 season. Flu can be anywhere, so you can easily catch it. Being generally fit and healthy will not always protect you from the flu virus.
Immunisation is the best protection against influenza. It naturally boosts your immune system to fight the virus when it attacks.
Influenza is not the same as a cold. It is a more serious disease that can also make your existing medical conditions worse.
Get immunised to stop the spread of flu around your community. Even if you don't feel sick, you could still be infected with the virus and pass it on to others.
The influenza vaccine is a prescription medicine. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about the benefits and possible risks. And, if you're between the ages of 65 and 80 years old, ask if you're also eligible for free shingles immunisation.