Flu Vaccine Information

The influenza immunisation is free for people who are most at risk:

• 65 years of age or older
• Pregnant women (any trimester)
• Cardiovascular disease (heart disease or stroke)
• Asthma on a regular preventer, or chronic lung disease with impaired lung function
• Diabetes
• Chronic renal (kidney) disease
• Cancer, except basal and squamous skin cancer (contraindicated with some chemotherapy)
• Autoimmune disease
• Immune suppression, HIV or transplant recipient
• Neuromuscular or nervous system disorders
• Down Syndrome
• Any other serious medical condition
• Children 4 years or under who have been hospitalised for a respiratory illness, or have a history of significant respiratory illness
• Healthcare and other front-line workers (includes emergency services, social services, police, defence and border control but not supermarket workers).

If you are unsure if you fit into any of these criteria please ask your doctor or nurse.

Non funded cost:     $35.00

Influenza vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, however it will help prevent a serious illness that causes hundreds of deaths and places significant pressure on healthcare services each winter in New Zealand. Improving protection against influenza for our healthcare workforce and for our most vulnerable populations will improve our ability to manage increased demand as a result of COVID-19.

Influenza Facts:

• Influenza isn't just a bad cold - it can be serious and can kill. The "flu" is usually sudden onset and starts with fever and body aches. Other symptoms may be a sore throat, headache, cough and fatigue. The fever usually lasts between 3 to 5 days. The cough and fatigue may last 2 weeks.
• Influenza spreads very easily and up to 1 in 4 of us come into contact with influenza every year.
• You are infectious just prior to getting the flu and for the fist 5 days if you an adult and 2 weeks if you are a child. Transmission is through direct contact - touch and inhalation of virus in droplets of moisture from breathing, coughing and sneezing.
• Even if you do not get sick, you can still carry the virus and infect family, friends and work colleagues.
• Immunisation is one of your best forms of protection
• Immunisation helps prepare your immune system to fight the flu and takes 2 weeks to work.
• You CANNOT get the flu from the vaccine as the vaccine does not contain live virus.
• Being fit and healthy will not stop you getting the flu

A small number of people, such as those who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccine previously or those who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, should not be vaccinated without first consulting their doctor.

Please talk to your doctor or nurse for more information.

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