Flu vaccine season is nearly here!
Flu vaccines are expected to be available here at the clinic from the first week of April and we're starting to take bookings now! Check out our FAQs page for information on why we recommend a flu vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older every year.
See below for:
We're offering THREE different flu vaccine options this year, depending on your age:
1. Vaccine: Influvac Tetra | Age: ≥ 6 mnths
Cost:
FREE if you meet eligibility criteria (see below)
$57.00 if you don't meet eligibility criteria
Difference:
Standard flu vaccine
Egg-based manufacturing process
Protects against x4 WHO-identified strains of influenza virus
2. Vaccine: Flucelvax | Age: 6 mnths - 64 yrs
Cost:
$62.00
Not funded for anybody
Difference:
Protects against x3 WHO-identified strains of influenza virus*
Cell-based technology makes it an exact match to the influenza strains it protects against
Manufacturing process is more environmentally friendly compared to standard flu vaccine
Up to 19.8% more effective than standard flu vaccine at preventing influenza
3. Vaccine: Fluad | Age: 50+ yrs
Cost:
$66.00
Not funded for anybody
Difference:
Protects against x3 WHO-identified strains of influenza virus*
Contains MF59® Adjuvant, which improves effectiveness by helping your body create more antibodies to fight the influenza virus
Provides stronger and longer protection compared to standard flu vaccine
*World Health Organisation (WHO) has given advice that a fourth strain (called the Yamagata strain) is no longer warranted as it hasn’t been detected for several years; Influvac Tetra still provides protection against the Yamagata strain, whereas Flucelvax and Fluad don’t. Te Whatu Ora Health NZ and the Immunisation Advisory Centre advise that the absence or presence of the fourth strain does not impact on vaccine safety or effectiveness.
Eligibility criteria for funded flu vaccine
The funded flu vaccine is Influvac Tetra, i.e. the standard flu vaccine - if you meet the eligibility criteria then you can receive this for free. If you're wanting to get Flucelvax or Fluad instead then you will need to pay for it, even if you meet the eligibility criteria for free Influvac Tetra.
See the attachment for a more thorough run-down of the eligibility criteria, but in summary you can receive free Influvac Tetra if you:
are aged 65+ years, or
are pregnant, or
have a particular medical condition that meets criteria (see attachment), or
have a particular serious mental health condition that meets criteria (see attachment), or
are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services.
Additionally, tamariki (children) ≤ 4 years old who have been hospitalised for a respiratory illness OR who have a history of significant respiratory illness are eligible, as are tamariki who are on long-term aspirin.
Not sure if you or your tamaiti (child) meets the eligibility criteria or not? One of our staff will be happy to check for you, just leave a message on our nurse line or speak with your practitioner when you're here for an appointment.
How to get your flu vaccine
Some general points:
If you have an in-person appointment with a GP, NP, or practice nurse from the first week of April onwards then you can get your flu vaccine from them at the same time; you don't need to book a separate flu vaccine appointment.
You will need to wait at least 5 minutes after your appointment to ensure you don't experience any adverse effects; your clinician will let you know if you should wait longer.
Flu vaccine clinics - for patients aged 14+ years
One of our practice nurses will be running dedicated flu vaccine clinics on Mondays and Thursdays between 9AM-2PM.
These will be 5-minute appointments for your flu vaccine only, and are only available for patients aged 14+ years.
Please call reception to book in (we don't take practice nurse bookings via Well).
A separate appointment is required for each individual patient.
Usual practice nurse clinics - for patients of any age
Tamariki and pēpē (babies) aged 13 years and under will need to be booked into our usual practice nurse clinic for their flu vaccines, which are run at varying hours Monday-Friday.
Appointments in our nurse clinic are 15-minutes.
Any patients of any age can also book into our practice nurse clinic if our flu vaccine clinic dates/times don't suit.
If you're due for or wanting other vaccines too (and you're in the correct age range for them), these can be given at the same time - e.g. Boostrix (tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough), Shingrix (shingles), Arexvy (RSV)*, etc.
Please call reception to book in (we don't take practice nurse bookings via Well).
A separate appointment is required for each individual patient.
*We don't keep Arexvy (RSV) vaccines in stock due to their cost. Please advise us ahead of time if you're wanting this vaccine so we can order it in for you.
