Nov
28
to 28 Dec

Cervical Screening

THE SELF TEST IS HERE- CERVICAL SCREENING

FROM 12TH SEPTEMBER 2023 THERE IS A NEW OPTION FOR OUR PEOPLE HAVING THEIR CERVICAL SCREENING. THE NEW HPV SELF-TEST IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE SMEAR TEST AND IS AVAILABLE TO MOST WĀHINE AND PEOPLE WITH A CERVIX.

Cervical screening is now free for:

All Māori and Pacific aged 25 – 69.

Anyone aged 30 and over who has never had a cervical screen before.

Anyone aged 30 and over who was last screened over five years ago and is overdue for a cervical screening test.

Anyone aged 25 – 69 with a Community Services Card

All those who require follow-up testing

Contact the nurses at City Medical Centre and they can advise you when your cervical screening is due. They will talk to you about the new test and determine if it is right for you.

You can also find out more information at www.TimeToCervicalScreen.nz.

Screening Saves Lives.

View Event →
Mar
14
to 31 Dec

Influenza Vaccine information 2024- Flu vaccine

Flu Vaccine 2024- Book now

Please contact our reception team 04 4712161 option 1 to book an appointment. Clinic hours Monday – Friday 9am-4.15pm

 

The Flu vaccine for 2024

The 2024 Influenza Immunisation Programme starts on 1st April 2024 and runs

To 31st December 2024. All groups can be vaccinated until then.

 

Who should get the flu vaccine?

Anyone over the age of 6 months can have the flu vaccine. 

 

The flu vaccine is free for some people.

For a list of who is eligible for the free flu vaccine for 2024, see the list below.

 

  • people aged 65 years and over

  • pregnant women (any trimester)- available until 31st December 2024

  • people under 65 years of age with certain chronic conditions, such as chronic heart disease, chronic liver disease, diabetes, cancer, asthma and COPD

  • children aged 4 years or under who have been in hospital for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness, including children aged 6–59 months (under 5 years) who were hospitalised with measles.

  • people with mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder

  • people who are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services.

  • Check with your Doctor/Nurse if you are uncertain about whether you qualify for a free flu vaccine

 

You can access the detailed free flu vaccine criteria through the Pharmac website link- https://schedule.pharmac.govt.nz/ScheduleOnline.php?edition=&osq=Influenza+vaccine

 

The vaccination is also recommended (although may not be free) if you are in close contact with people with weakened immune systems, as these people may be less able to fight off the flu or are at high risk of complications from it. Frontline healthcare workers usually have the vaccine funded by their employer

 

What is the flu vaccine?

The influenza vaccine (also called the flu vaccine) is used to prevent infection caused by the influenza (flu) virus. The flu can cause serious illness, especially in young children, older adults and people with chronic health problems, but anyone can become seriously ill from the flu virus. Even if you are not feeling sick, you could still be infected with the flu virus and pass it on to others.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection and reduce the seriousness of illness if you become infected. It will greatly improve your chances of not getting the flu, but it does not give 100% protection.

Being vaccinated causes your body to produce antibodies against the flu virus. This means your body can respond faster and more effectively to the flu. By first coming across a non-infectious version of the virus in the vaccine, it learns to recognise it. When it comes across it again, your body can react much faster and in a more effective way.

Even if you get the flu after being vaccinated, you usually get a mild form of it and recover faster, and are less likely to have serious complications.

 

Why do I need to get vaccinated every year?

You need to get the flu vaccine every year because protection from the previous vaccination becomes less effective over time. Each year the influenza viruses can change. The strains in the vaccine usually change each year in response to the changing virus pattern.

 

When is the flu vaccine given?

 

It is possible to come into contact with flu viruses all year round, but the chance of the flu virus circulating in the community is highest during winter. For most people, the best time to be vaccinated against the flu is just before the start of the winter season. In New Zealand, this is between April and June. It takes 2 weeks after vaccination for the vaccine to be fully effective. You may still get the flu in this time if you come into contact with the virus, so get it done early in time for winter.

 

How is the flu vaccine given?

The vaccine is given by injection into a muscle, such as the muscle on your upper arm. Babies and toddlers are given the injection on the side of their thigh.

Adults and children 9 years and older: Only one dose of the vaccine is needed to get protection for the season.

Children aged between 6 months and under 9 years:

Primary course: If it’s the first time having the Flu Vaccine, two doses of the vaccine are needed, with the second dose given at least 4 weeks after the first.

Subsequent dose: If a primary course had been given in previous years, only a single dose is required.

After you get the flu vaccine, a trained healthcare professional will keep an eye on you for at least 20 minutes afterwards to make sure you don't have any reaction to the vaccination.

 

COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19.

However, it will help prevent the flu, a serious illness that causes hundreds of deaths each winter in New Zealand. This could be a time to consider if you are due an additional dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Please click on the link below for guidance of eligibility:

 

https://info.health.nz/immunisations/vaccines-aotearoa/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-boosters/

 

View Event →