Almost everyone is at risk of shingles because they are likely to have been exposed to chickenpox, even if they have no history of clinical chickenpox, or have had a chickenpox vaccine. Following chickenpox infection the virus lies dormant in the nerves near the spine and may re-emerge many years later as shingles. Shingles most commonly affects older adults or people of any age with a weakened immune system.

From 1 April 2018, one dose of Zostavax will be funded for adults aged 65 years. A ‘catch-up’ programme will be available for the first two years, for people aged from 66–80 years inclusively. Funded vaccine doses will only be available through general practice.

Immunity may wane earlier with elderly, so vaccinating younger patients earlier and delaying older groups until April is a reasonable strategy and aligns with the introduction of the zoster vaccine.

Our practice will be open through the Christmas/New Year period, but closed on the Public Holidays – Monday 25th/Tuesday 26th December and Monday 1st/Tuesday 2nd January. We will have reduced staff and shortened hours through January as doctors, nurses and staff have breaks – open from 9am. Appointments will be by phone only through this time (no online appointments).

Remember that our 24/7 auto-attendant service will answer all calls during closure as usual.

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

There will be limited supply of Gardasil9 (HPV) vaccine until late November 2017. The shortage is due to demand significantly exceeding the forecast uptake for the vaccine during 2017, coupled with a delay to the scheduled arrival of new stock into New Zealand. Until the release of new stock in late November, distribution of the remaining stock will be limited to school based programme vaccinators.

Message from Propharma.

Currently there is an outbreak of mumps in the Auckland region, the Auckland Regional Public Health Services associate this outbreak with low vaccination rates, particularly for those between 10 to 29 years old.

For more please read the following PDF document… Auckland Mumps Outbreak

Meadowbank General Practice has now moved to its new premises in the Meadowbank Shopping Centre. You can find us near the Food Court area and are open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:30pm.

Exciting news – we are relocating in a few months!

We are delighted to announce we have found new premises just along the road at Meadowbank Shopping Mall. We will now be fitting out our new site as smart, modern medical rooms. We are sure you will be pleased with the results and the greater convenience – especially parking – that this location will bring.

MGP Newsletter Winter 2017

Map Location of MGP New Premises

The vaccine is given as two doses to those aged 14 years and under, and three doses to those aged 15 years and older.

The vaccine is offered to boys and girls through participating schools at Year 8, around age 12. HPV immunisation is also available free at the practice from 9 years of age to prevent cancers in men and women.

An increasing proportion of mouth and throat cancers, which affect men at higher rates than women, are caused by HPV. HPV can cause cancers in men. HPV immunisation has been recommended (but not funded) for boys for several years in New Zealand and many other countries. Those not part of the school vaccination programme can receive this vaccine free of charge from our nurses.
HPV vaccines are relatively expensive and were initially funded to prevent the most common HPV-related cancer, cervical cancer, which affects only women.

Immunisation with Gardasil 9 can prevent infection with:
• the seven HPV types that cause nine out of ten HPV-related cancers
• the two HPV types that cause nine out of ten cases of genital warts

The vaccine is given by injection in the upper arm. Two injections are given at least six months apart for those aged 14 and under. Those aged 15 and over will need three doses to be fully protected.

It is FREE for anyone over 65, pregnant women or for anyone with the usual chronic medical conditions… otherwise the charge this year has been held at $35.

We are running our “no appointment necessary” Flu Shot Clinic from 11.30 to 12.00 each Monday to Friday. So no need to book – just turn up between those times. If you cannot make those Clinics then please make a Nurse appointment in the usual way.

Please remember you will need to remain in the Surgery for 20 minutes after the injection.

The 2017 vaccine contains three strains, including one new strain, which is expected to provide cover for the influenza viruses currently circulating globally and likely to affect New Zealand in winter.

MGP Newsletter – Autumn 2017