Vaccination

A number of vaccinations are now available at your pharmacy to keep you and your family/whanau protected. In 2014 over 14,000 consumers chose to have their flu vaccine at one of our pharmacies and now we also offer the whooping cough vaccine (for adults), Meningococcal disease vaccine (to people 16 years and over) and the Shingles vaccine (to people 16 years and over) from the same pharmacies. It’s a convenient and easily accessible service avilable without an appointment. Don’t assume you are immune.


Services
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

Influenza, or the Flu, is not just a bad cold - it can be serious and can even lead to death. Flu can make an existing medical condition, such as asthma or diabetes, a lot worse. Immunising against influenza can protect you and lessen the chance of spreading the virus to those most at risk of complications.The good news is you can now get your Flu shot at selected Unichem or Life Pharmacies. No appointments necessary.

Shingles Vaccine

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster). After your chickenpox blisters heal, the virus that caused them remains in your body and is dormant. The virus may be there for many years and not cause a problem. Sometimes however the virus may become active again. So, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles. In fact approximately 1 in 3 people will experience shingles in their lifetime.
For some people shingles is more than just a painful blistering rash. 1 in 4 people will develop complications, the most common being long-term nerve pain that can last for months, even years, after the rash has healed.

If you are 50 years of age or older talk to one of our Pharmacists, who are now able to provide a vaccine that helps prevent shingles*.

Meningococcal Vaccine

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes two very serious illnesses, meningitis (an infection of the membranes that cover the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Diagnosing and treating meningococcal disease is not easy. The current vaccines available do not protect against all meningococcal strains, but they do provide protection against up to half of the disease in New Zealand, for up to 3 to 5 years. It can affect anyone - but it is more common in children under the age of 5, teenagers, and young adults. Students in their first year of tertiary education living in hostel accommodation may also be at higher risk. Those travelling internationally to areas of risk are encouraged to have the vaccine.
A vaccine that protects against 4 strains of meningococcal disease is now available for people 16 years of age and over from Pharmacists*.

Whooping Cough Vaccine

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that cannot only be life threatening to babies but can also cause prolonged illness in adults. It causes severe bouts of coughing and is easily transmitted. The disease is most infectious in the first couple of weeks, when symptoms are like a normal cold. Whooping cough continues to be infectious 3-4 weeks after the cough starts, unless you are treated with antibiotics. Many babies catch whooping cough from their immediate family including older siblings or parents - often before they are old enough to be fully immunised.
Our Pharmacists are now able to provide the whooping cough vaccine* to adults 18 years and older.