Vaccinate against this season's flu.

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, with three options available for the 2025 winter season:

• Influvac Tetra is free to those who meet certain eligibility criteria (see below). It is a quadrivalent influenza vaccine, protecting against four strains of the virus.

• Flucelvax Quad is designed to be an exact match to the circulating flu strains, and shows 5-19% greater vaccine effectiveness than the standard flu vaccine. Flucelvax Quad is effective and well tolerated in pregnant women and suitable for anyone over 6 months old.

• Fluad® Quad is designed for people aged 65 years and over. It contains the MF59® Adjuvant which enhances the immune response and has showed a 18-36% reduction in influenza related GP visits. It also provides longer protection than the standard flu vaccine, with antibody levels higher at 12 months post vaccination.

Speak to our pharmacy team to find out more on the options for the 2025 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.