Free flu vaccines available for elderly
It’s getting toward that time of year when dreaded winter lurgys 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.
No appointment is required, although 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 a hospital.
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.
There are people who are also eligible to receive a free jab, with chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease or diabetes. But they will still need to go to their GP for their flu vaccine. People who are over the age of nine, who don’t qualify for a free vaccination, will be charged of $30.