Flu vaccine made more accessible
It’s getting toward that time of year when dreaded winter lurgies start to rear their ugly heads.
If you’re unclear about where to get your flu vaccine this autumn, hopefully this will help.
In April 1, this year, Pharmac, the Government agency that decides which pharmaceuticals to publicly fund in New Zealand, brought in a policy that certain people can now have flu vaccines from an authorised vaccinator at a pharmacy, as well as at their doctor’s.
Many pharmacies have been doing vaccinations since 2013. But for the first time this year, people 65 years and older, and pregnant women, can get their free flu jab from a pharmacy.
People who are over the age of nine, who don’t qualify for a free vaccination, will be charged $30.
There are people who are also eligible to receive a free jab, with chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease or diabetes.
However, they will still need to go to their general practitioner for their flu vaccine.
In New Plymouth, pharmacist Charles Walker of Merrilands Pharmacysaid he just received accreditation on Friday morning and five people had already taken part.
‘‘I think it’s a fantastic idea, and there seems to have already been a real enthusiasm about it.’’
Walker said he had been doing vaccinations since 2013, and Merrilands Pharmacy was one of the first pharmacy’s in the district to do so.
‘‘There seems to have already been a real enthusiasm about it’’
Charles Walker
It’s convenient for people and the increased accessibility will improve vaccination rates, he said.
Walker said people should still be aware that although no appointment was required people must allow 30 minutes for the vaccination and to remain for 20 minutes afterwards in case they have a reaction, just as they would at a doctor’s surgery, or at hospital.
All vaccines are recorded on the national immunisation register, by the vaccinator.
It’s part of a Government initiative to increase the uptake of vaccinations by the general public to reduce sick time taken by workers, to increase productivity.
More than a million New Zealanders receive influenza vaccine each year, most of them Government-funded.
So, to be clear, two sorts of professional can give vaccines, a vaccinator and a practitioner.