Vaccinations

 Our Doctors and Nurses are availble to give vaccinations.  

The New Zealand National Immunisation Schedule is a series of immunisations (including boosters) given at specific times between the ages of six weeks and twelve years.

To get the best possible protection, have the immunisations on time, every time.

Click here to view the National Immunisation Schedule 

BOOSTRIX

Boostrix is a booster vaccination given to children over 10 years and adults against three life threatening bacterial infections.  

Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a bacterium that lives in the airways of humans and can also affect the skin. Generally, the 
airways become inflamed (swollen) causing severe breathing difficulties and sometimes suffocation. The 
bacteria release a toxin (poison) which can cause nerve damage, heart problems and death. The risk of 
serious complications and death is greater in the very young and elderly.

Tetanus
Tetanus bacteria enter the body through wounded skin. Wounds that are especially prone to infection are 
burn wounds, fractures, deep wounds or wounds contaminated with soil, dust, horse manure or wood 
splinters. The bacteria release toxins, which can cause muscle stiffness, painful spasms, fits and death. The 
spasm can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine.

Pertussis (whooping cough)
Pertussis is highly infectious. It affects the breathing tract causing severe spells of coughing that may 
interfere with normal breathing. The coughing is often accompanied by a “whooping” sound. The cough may 
last for 1-2 months or longer. Pertussis can also cause inner ear infections, long lasting bronchitis, 
pneumonia, fits, brain damage and death. The risk of severe complications and death is greatest in infants 
under 6 months of age.

For additional information: 

FLU VACCINATION

Influenza (the flu) is an infectious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  Influenza is not just a ‘bad cold’ – it is a more serious illness that may lead to complications, particularly in people with an existing medical condition. 

1. Anyone aged 65 years or over
2. Anyone aged under 65 years with any of the medical conditions outlined below 
   - Cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, cerebrovascular disease)
   - Chronic respiratory disease (asthma if on regular preventive therapy; other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function)
   - Diabetes
   - Chronic renal disease
   - Cancer (patient currently has cancer), excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive
   - Other conditions (autoimmune disease, immune suppression, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], transplant recipients, neuromuscular and central nervous system diseases, haemoglobinopathies, children on long-term aspirin)
3. Pregnant women, the following conditions are excluded from funding:
   - Asthma not requiring regular preventive therapy
   - Hypertension and/or dyslipidaemia without evidence of end-organ disease. 

    http://www.fightflu.co.nz/

 GARDASIL

GARDASIL is the only HPV vaccine that helps protect your child against 4 types of HPV.

• In girls and young women ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause about 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause approximately 90% of genital warts cases.
• In boys and young men ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against approximately 90% of genital warts cases.
• GARDASIL also helps protect girls and young women ages 9 to 26 against about 70% of vaginal cancer cases and up to 50% of vulvar cancer cases.

GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so future cervical cancer screenings will be important for your daughter. GARDASIL does not treat cervical cancer or genital warts.

Like other vaccines your child may have received, GARDASIL works best when given before there is any contact with the relevant HPV types. Girls and boys as young as 9 years of age can get vaccinated.

For additional information regarding Gardisil:

Menactra

• Menactra is a vaccine that protects against meningoccal groups A,C,Y and W135.
• It does not protect against against menngococcal group B.

Whilst disease is rare from groups A, Y and W135 in New Zealand the vaccine provides protection while travelling (group A is the most common strain outside of New Zealand).

Who can benefit from Menactra?

• Children less than five years of age.
• Pre-teens, teens and young adults, especially those living in shared accommodation such as boarding schools, universities or student hostels.
• Travellers to overseas destinations, especially to Sub-Saharan Africa and countries where menningococcal disease is prevalent.

Menningococcal disease can be devastating.  If you want to protect yourself or your family, ask your Doctor or Practice Nurse if Menactra is right for you.

For additional information:regarding Menactra:

ROTARIX - ORAL ROTAVIRUS VACCINE

Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe vomiting and diarrhoea in babies and young children in New Zealand.

It is highly contagious and the virus can be passed on from an infected person about two days prior the to symptoms.

The illness can begin suddenly and the most common symptoms are:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Fever

Severe cases can result in hospital admission as a result of dehydration.  If left untreated can cause death.

SYNFLORIX

Synflorix is a vaccine to help protect against pneumococcal Infections which are caused by the bug Streptococcus Pneumoniae.  It is included in the National Immunisation Schedule.

The Streptococcus Pneumoniae bug can also cause:

• Pneumonia
• Acute Otitis Media (Ear Infections)
• Bacteremia (Bacteria in the blood)
• Bacterial Meningitis

TWINRIX

The Twinrix vaccine works by helping your body produce its own protection (antibodies) against hepatitis A and B.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is spread through contact with the faeces of an infected person.

It can be passed on through:

• close personal contact – including sexual
• poor personal hygiene
• sharing personal things with an infected person (toothbrushes, facecloths, towels, etc)
• contaminated water or milk
• contaminated food – including shellfish, from infected sewage.

The most infectious period for hepatitis A is usually from two weeks before until one week after the onset of jaundice.

A blood test will show if someone has hepatitis A infection.

Thorough hand-washing with soap and water stops the infection from being passed on to other people. General household hygiene, advised at all times, includes:

• washing hands before and after preparing food
• washing hands before eating
• washing hands after going to the toilet or changing baby’s nappy.

Bed-linen, underpants, towels and handkerchiefs used during the illness should be washed in hot water and detergent.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is spread through the blood and body fluids of an infected person.   

It can be passed on through:

• cuts, scratches, etc
• close contact with blood (and other fluids) from an infected person
• sharing toothbrushes, razors, towels, facecloths
• sharing needles used for skin piercing and injecting
• sexual contact without condoms.

The most infectious period is from several weeks before someone is unwell until several weeks – or even months – later. Some people remain carriers of the hepatitis B virus for life. Carriers of the hepatitis B virus can spread the disease even though they are not sick.

A blood test will show if someone has hepatitis B infection or is a carrier of the virus. 

Hepatitis B is very unlikely to be passed on by blood transfusions, due to the high level of safety of blood products used in New Zealand. Tests and checks on blood donations minimise the risk for infection.

For detailed information on Twinrix:

VARILRIX – CHICKEN POX (VARICELLA) VACCINE

Approximately 90% of children are expected to get chickenpox before adolescence.

Each year there are 150-200 cases of severe chicken pox which require hospital admission.

The infection usually starts with:

• Cold or flu like symptoms.
• A rash appears and red itchy spots appear that eventually blister. 

Click here to read more about the virus and the infectious period.