
Immunisation
Get immunised for winter
Are you and your whānau up-to-date with all your vaccinations?
Winter is on it's way and our borders are opening up folloing two years of restricted travel due to COVID-19. This has meant we were not exposed to diseases like influenza and measles with visitors travelling to New Zealand. This winter we are expecting new flu variants along with other diseases to come back. Therefore, it is important that people are up-to-date with their vaccinations.
Getting immunised is the best way to protect yourself, your whānau and community from catching and spreading many serious diseases like COVID-19, measles, influenza and whooping cough (Pertussis). Immunisation uses the body’s natural defence mechanism, the immune response, to build resistance to specific infections.
Protect the ones you love so they can keep doing what they love
Get your Flu jab now before winter arrives. It’s free for anyone aged 65+, Māori and Pasifika 55+, as well as those with a health condition such as asthma or diabetes, pregnant women and children aged 4 years or under with a history of significant respiratory illness. You should get a flu vaccine each year as it is updated to protect agaisnt the lastest strains of the virus.
Are your tamariki protected? Check with your GP or your Well Child/Tamariki Ora My Health Book to see if your tamariki have had their full schedule of immunisations. Their FREE immunisations are due at 6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 12 months, 15 months, 4 years, 11 and 12 years.
Pregnant? Hapū māmā can have free Whooping Cough and Influenza immunisations during their preganacy to protect you and your pēpi when they are born.
Are you MMR protected? If you’re aged 17-32 you may need a MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine to be up-to-date. You can have the vaccine now even if you’re not sure if you’ve had both doses.
It’s time to boost your whānau protection
If you or your whānau are due for a COVID-19 vaccination -first, second or a booster dose - get yours now. It's FREE and available for everyone aged 5 and over.
Had your COVID-19 booster? If you're aged 18+ you can get a booster 3 months after your second shot. If you're aged 16 or17 you can get your booster 6 months after your second dose.
If you have had COVID-19, it's recommended that most people wait 3 months after testing positive before getting any COVID-19 vaccination.
Tamariki (children) aged 5 to 11 will receive a children's (paediatric) version of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Check your immunisation schedule for all vaccines?
The National Immunisation Schedule is the series of vaccines that are offered free to babies, children, adolescents and adults.
For more information visit New Zealand’s Immunisation Schedule, contact your GP or local pharmacy, or Freephone 0800 220 250.
Where to go for your vaccination?
You can get your vaccination from GPs, some pharmacies and other healthcare providers.
Our COVID-19 community vaccination sites are now also offering free influenza and MMR immunisations to those eligible.