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Influenza vaccine
Each year, the seasonal influenza vaccine is available for all New Zealanders over 6 months of age. The flu vaccine is your best protection against influenza, and it also reduces your risk of transmitting the flu to vulnerable people. The standard vaccine prevents up to two-thirds of influenza cases in healthy adults.
Because the flu virus changes often, the influenza vaccine is adjusted each year to combat the current strains.
Speak to our pharmacy team to find out more on the options for the 2026 flu vaccine. Cost will vary depending on whether you are eligible for a free vaccine and which vaccine you choose. You can book flu vaccine appointments online or over the phone at participating pharmacies today. It takes up to two weeks for your immune system to fully respond to the influenza vaccine and provide you with maximum protection.
Options for treating cold and flu
If you do catch a cold or influenza A, treatment can help you feel more comfortable and recover more rapidly. Rest and fluid are essential to your recovery, and you also have the option of other cold and flu treatments. These include paracetamol, ibuprofen, throat lozenges, nasal sprays, and pseudoephedrine cold and flu tablets. Pseudoephedrine cold and flu tablets will help clear a blocked nose, but they’re not suitable for everyone.
Talk to your pharmacist about which treatments might be well suited for your cold or influenza. A treatment opinion from your pharmacist can help you choose the right combination of medications for you.
What is influenza, how the flu vaccine works, the flu vaccine cost and other information about treating colds and flu.
What is influenza? Influenza, or the flu, is a common illness in New Zealand. It is caused by a virus and spreads easily between people, usually by coughing or sneezing. Sometimes it can be quite mild, but it can make you feel quite unwell even if you are usually healthy. For vulnerable people, including children, it can be very serious.
Influenza A symptoms include some or all of the following:
• A fever
• Muscle aches and pains
• A cough
• A runny nose
• A sore throat
• No energy/fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhoea (usually in children).
The fever and body aches typically last for up to five days, but the cough and fatigue can linger for several weeks.
Influenza B symptoms are similar, but typically milder in adults. For children, influenza B symptoms may be worse, including ear infections, vomiting and seizures.
The funded flu vaccine is free for:
- Pregnant women.
- Those aged 65 or over.
- People with diabetes, cancer, asthma or a heart condition (aged 6 months and over).
- Children aged 4 or under with significantrespiratory illness.
- People aged under 65 with some mental health conditions.
- People who are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services.
