COVID-19 and Flu Vaccinations

Click here for advice regarding what to do if you test positive for Covid-19 and a list of places to collect free RAT tests and free masks.

Latest News:

Flu Vaccinations: From 1 April to 31 December 2023, the flu vaccine is available for free for people at higher risk of getting very sick from the flu including:

people aged 65 years and over
Māori and Pacific people aged 55 years and over
pregnant people
people who have a long-term medical condition like diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition (ages 6 months+)
children aged 6 months to 12 years
people with mental health and addiction issues

Covid-19 Vaccinations: You can now get an additional COVID-19 booster dose if you are aged 30 and over and have completed a primary course, as long as it’s been at least 6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or positive COVID-19 test.

You’re also eligible if you are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and have completed a primary course, as long as it’s been at least 6 months since your last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test. Groups include:

people aged 65 years and over
Māori and Pacific peoples aged 50 years and over
residents of aged care and disability care facilities
severely immunocompromised people
people aged 16 years and over who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe breakthrough COVID-19 illness
people aged 16 years and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities.

The covid bivalent vaccine is recommended for eligible pregnant people at any stage of pregnancy or during breastfeeding, as long as it has been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine or positive COVID-19 test.

Book yours now at bookmyvaccine.co.nz or call your healthcare provider.
For more information about eligible groups click here.

Vaccinations this week:

295 Palmerston Road	Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday	9am-4.30pm	All COVID-19 vaccinations, free mask and RAT's Flu Vaccinations MMR Vaccination Hapu Māmā Vaccinations Childhood Immunisations (available from 1 May). Note: AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines are available by appointment only on Fridays	Walk in welcome but booking preferred for COVID vaccinations Book here
Vaccinating Pharmacies:
Unichem Bramwells	Pharmacy	9.00-1.00pm	12+ COVID-19 Vaccinations	Walk in
Sean Shivnan	Pharmacy	9.00-3.00pm	12+ COVID-19 Vaccinations	Walk in
Horouta Pharmacy	Pharmacy	9.30-12pm 1.00-3.00pm	12+ COVID-19 Vaccinations	Walk in
Pharmacy 53	Pharmacy	Wed-Sun From 1.30pm	12+ COVID-19 Vaccinations	Walk in

Local General Practices

Three Rivers Medical Centre, 75 Customhouse Street, Ph: 0508 374 8377
City Medical, 134 Derby Street, Ph: 06 8686104
Puhi Kaiti Community Health Centre, 508 Wainui Road, Kaiti Hub, Ph: 06 8678550

Please contact the general practices for days and hours of vaccination clinics

Local Pharmacy – Vaccination Clinics

Horouta Pharmacy – 92 De Lautour Road, Inner Kaiti, Ph: 06 8683700
Pharmacy 53– 10 Ballance Street, Whataupoko, Ph: 06 8673038
Sean Shivnan – 578 Gladstone Road, Ph: 06 8674672
Bramwells Unichem Pharmacy – 232 Gladstone Road, Ph: 06 8671291

Please contact the pharmacies for days and hours of vaccination clinics

For information on Tairāwhiti's response to COVID-19, including where to get tested, please click here.

Misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccine

If you become aware of any campaigns or information targeting New Zealanders asking for personal information or payment for receiving the vaccine, please report this misinformation to covid@ops.cert.govt.nz (Subject: COVID-19 scam) or call 0800 237 869.

Remember:

The COVID-19 vaccine is free, and at no point will you be asked to pay for securing your place in the queue.
Any communications about the vaccine will come from the Ministry of Health or other trusted sources. If you receive any emails out of the blue asking for financial and personal details, it is likely a scam.
The best way you can help stop these scams affecting New Zealanders is to report them to CERT NZ. You can also do this via the CERT NZ website: www.cert.govt.nz or by calling 0800 2378 69

Questions about the vaccine?

For a list of frequently asked questions about the vaccine, visit the Immunisation Advisory Centre website.

You can also find questions and answers in this COVID-19 Vaccination Information Booklet, which is specific to Tairāwhiti and has been approved by the Ministry of Health.

You can find more about how the vaccine works, its safety and development, advice if you're pregnant and what to think about if you're getting other vaccines around the same time.

More information

If you're looking for more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, here are some official sources that are a good place to start:

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