There has been a lot of media attention about the recent meningococcal outbreaks in New Zealand. Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that causes meningitis (swelling of the brain membranes) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). It can be quite difficult to diagnose as the initial symptoms appear similar to a bad cold of flu. It can develop quickly and immediate medical attention and treatment with antibiotics is very important.
There are vaccines available to protect against most of the different serogroups (types) of bacteria that cause Meningococcal disease. The types that cause most disease are A. B, C, W, and Y. Unfortunately, no single vaccine offers protection against all of these types but there are vaccines available that cover specific types.
The available vaccines are:
Nimenrix and Menactra protects against Meningococcal A, C, W and Y.
Bexsero protects against 4 strains of Meningococcal Group B. ( 2 vaccines 4 weeks apart)
It takes at least 2 weeks for the vaccines to work after vaccination.
Until now, these vaccines have not been funded but on December 1st 2019, PHARMAC began funding ONE dose of the Menactra vaccine for young people aged 13 to 25 years, who are living in close quarters (University halls of residence, boarding schools)
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on 09 521 5128
For more information about Meningococcal disease, please visit:
We will continue working at Level 4, offering phone and video consults. We will have slightly shortened days from our usual hours . Our Doctors and Nurses will make appropriate arrangements with you, if an in-person assessment or a procedure is necessary.
The virtual bookings can still be arranged via the web portal.
As recommended by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and the Ministry of Health, we ask screening questions for respiratory and other viral symptoms, such as fever and diarrhoea, before making your appointment. The guidelines are that those with viral symptoms must not be in waiting rooms with others, to limit the spread of infection, both of COVID-19 and other viral illnesses. Most people are now unable to attend work, school or social gatherings, if they are unwell… and it affects our workforce too! This is also why we are still asking all adults to wear a mask to their appointments – we know it can be annoying but better safe than sorry!
We understand the perceived risk of COVID-19 in the community is low at present and this restriction may be frustrating for our patients. If you have respiratory or viral symptoms you will INITIALLY be offered a phone or video consultation. We are very experienced in assessing via video or phone and we can usually make a treatment plan which would not be altered by an examination in cases of mild to moderate illness.
Please be assured that we will arrange to see you within a few hours, either in the practice or your car, if we think you need an examination.
The COVID testing guidelines from the Ministry of Health remain the same, that anyone with COVID symptoms should be tested. Without maintaining steady testing of symptomatic people in the community, we cannot know if we have the virus circulating. We are able to offer testing in your car at the back of the practice, depending on weather and staff availability.
Please phone to book via reception, online bookings will be opened soon. Remember a Covid-19 vaccine is the priority so be sure to allow 2 weeks prior or after completion of Covid vaccines before booking a flu vaccine.
Timing examples of necessary gaps required between vaccines:-
Covid 1, (3 weeks gap), Covid 2, (2 weeks), Flu
Flu, (2 weeks), Covid 1, (3 weeks), Covid 2
No flu vaccines can be given in the weeks spacing the 2 Covid vaccines.
The flu vaccines for people from 6 months to 64 years will be on the website to order from 1 May but will not be available for vaccination until around 10 May- we will update as the timing becomes clearer.
The 2021 Influenza Immunisation Programme will commence on 14 April 2021, with a two-week priority period for people over 65 eligible for a free influenza vaccination. These dates are dependent on approval by the regulator.
Vaccinators have been recommended to focus on immunising those who are eligible for a funded vaccination for the first two weeks of the programme to protect as many of those who are at greatest risk first, well ahead of the influenza season.
The first weeks of the prioritisation period is only for adults aged 65 and over and there is an additional vaccine this year that is specifically intended for this population.
The second week of the prioritisation period, from 21 April has been altered (update from previous report) and now no vaccines will be available until early May for under 65s including people eligible for a funded vaccination.
Vaccination can then be extended to include the general population from early May dates to be advised-
At level 1 we are still actively encouraging video or phone consultations as well as doing face-to-face consultations.
We need to keep our waiting room as clear as possible so please arrive at your booked time- not early. You must wear a mask. If you do not have your own mask, we have them available for $2 each.
Please come alone unless you require a support person for mobility or other health need reasons – please restrict this to a maximum of 1 support person. A parent should only come with the relevant child.
For health and safety reasons, we need to actively manage the amount of time you spend on the premises if you have a face-to-face appointment. Consequently, extended appointments will generally not be available and we ask that you restrict the appointment to a single issue only. For more complex concerns that may require more than a maximum 15 minutes, we are likely to recommend that the appointment is continued virtually.
Monday to Friday please do contact us if you are concerned about your symptoms and would like to talk to a doctor about an assessment, or any difficulty arranging a test. There are no charges for these virtual appointments for symptoms of Covid-19. We do test our patients in their cars outside the practice at times but this depends on staff availability and weather- other wise we can advise you where to go for testing – or check the link here https://www.arphs.health.nz/public-health-topics/covid-19/where-to-get-tested/.
If you’re aged 15 to 30 you may not be protected against measles. Measles is a serious disease that can make you very sick. It’s about eight times more contagious than COVID-19 so it spreads fast. Getting immunised is the best way to protect against measles – it’s easy and it’s free – 2 doses is all you need for life! When you immunise against measles, you don’t just protect yourself. You also protect your whānau, your community, and future generations from harm. Info link: https://www.hpa.org.nz/sites/default/files/6.0%20MEA002%20Protect%20against%20measles%20factsheet-web.pdf
