Getting your flu jab

Brian from Mount Roskill

Getting a yearly flu vaccine is a great defence against catching the flu virus and it is FREE if you’re 65 or older.
As you get older, your immune system gets weaker. This means you're at higher risk of catching flu and developing complications such as pneumonia even if you feel fit and healthy.
The flu isn’t just a common cold. It can be serious and make people very sick. In severe cases it can mean a hospital stay – particularly if you’re over 65 or have an ongoing medical condition, such as heart disease or diabetes.
You can get your free flu vaccine at your healthcare provider or many local pharmacies. To book visit BookMyVaccine.nz or call 0800 28 29 26 Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. Interpreters are available and you can also speak to a Māori or disability advisor.
The flu vaccine changes each year to help protect you against what flu strain is expected to be most prevalent. Although having the vaccine doesn’t guarantee you won’t catch the flu, it reduces your risk of serious illness if you do catch it. You can’t catch the flu from the vaccine.
You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other immunisations. Ask your healthcare provider if you are due for any other vaccines including the COVID-19 booster, tetanus and whooping cough booster, or the shingles vaccine.
Being up to date with all your immunisations gives you the best possible protection from severe illness and can reduce the chance of you spreading illness to family members who are at risk of becoming seriously ill.
Whooping cough (pertussis) boosters are available
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Whooping cough (pertussis) can be very serious, especially for babies under 12 months old and older people. The best protection against whooping cough is immunisation.
The whooping cough vaccine is FREE for pregnant people, children under the age of 18, and booster doses are available at 45 and 65 years old (unless you already had a booster for pertussis or tetanus recently). Please speak with your healthcare provider, pharmacy, or GP if you are eligible.
Book in advance at Book a vaccine or call 0800 28 29 26.
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