Influenza Vaccinations

‘The Flu’ is short for Influenza. It’s a virus that can make you very unwell. Getting your influenza vaccine in the clinic, or as part of your workplace flu vaccinations can help keep seasonal flu at bay each winter.

Protect yourself this winter with Influenza Vaccines

It’s a contagious virus that can make you, whānau and workmates very unwell, so we need to take the flu seriously. Immunisation is the best defence against getting seasonal influenza. It spreads quickly and can have serious risks especially for people with underlying health issues, pregnant women and people over 65.

It is necessary to have an annual flu jab as the virus keeps changing. Each year the vaccine is designed to help build immunity to the strains that are currently circulating in NZ.

What are the symptoms of influenza?

Similar to a cold, influenza symptoms are longer lasting, worse and have the possibility of more serious consequences especially for high-risk people:

  • Streaming nose, sore throat or cough
  • Fever (38°C +), chills, body aches, sore tummy
  • Unusual tiredness for up to a fortnight

What’s the Flu vaccine cost in NZ?

In NZ we’re lucky to have subsidised flu jabs for eligible whānau who are at risk.

Get a FREE immunisation if you’re:

  • in any trimester of pregnancy
  • aged 65+
  • meet the eligibility criteria due to another illness like diabetes, a heart, auto-immune or lung conditions.

Can I get Workplace flu vaccinations?

Many businesses in the Highbrook Business community extend Manaakitanga by offering workplace flu shot vaccinations. Our vaccination staff can come to your business, making it even easier to get a workplace flu shot. This helps keep everyone healthy!

Are the side effects of the flu jab?

It’s normal to feel a bit sore after the flu vaccine where you had the jab. You might also get achy muscles; feel tired; get a headache or a low fever. If you are at all worried, give us a call. After hours, call Healthline or contact our Urgent Care Partner, East Care, on Botany Road.

Fight the Flu is a great resource for information about the Influenza Vaccine in NZ.

Health care professionals providing Influenza Vaccines

Dr Richard Chong
General Practitioner
Fluent in English and can understand some Mandarin. Dr Richard Chong is a graduate from the University of Auckland. He has completed a postgraduate diploma in Paediatrics and is a fellow of both the Royal New Zealand GP and Urgent Care colleges
Letisia Lesa
Nurse
Fluent in Samoan and English. Letisia graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing Pacific in 2013 and completed a Post-graduate diploma in Health Science specialised in Advanced Nursing in 2017.
Mary Chapman
Nurse
Fluent in English and can understand Khmer and speak basic Khmer. Mary completed her nursing training in 2002.
Tara Mougavalu-Fui
Nurse
Fluent in English, Niuean and Samoan. Tara graduated from Manukau Institute of Technology in 2012 and has broad experience in general practice and urgent care.
Nerice Fourie
Nurse
Fluent in English and Afrikaans. Nerice completed her Bachelor of Nursing in 2018 and is completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Health Science.
Claire Bidois
HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PRACTITIONER
Fluent in English. Claire graduated as a comprehensive nurse in 1991. Her background is mainly in practice nursing and urgent care nursing.
Colleen Bowring
Group Nursing Director
Fluent in English. Colleen has a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) and is trained in clinical education with a postgraduate long term condition management.
Pushpa Ram
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER
Fluent in English and Hindi. Pushpa completed her nursing studies in 1984. After Migrating to NZ she completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Occupational Health).

Frequently asked questions

To join our clinic, you first need to fill out the patient enrolment forms to register with the PHO that we belong to. This is a Ministry of Health requirement. You will need to provide proof of identity and eligibility which may include the following forms of identification:

  • NZ Passport or NZ birth certificate
  • International passport with resident visa OR work visa of minimum 24-month duration

On the enrolment form you need to indicate which of our doctors (currently taking new patients) that you would like to be registered with.

Yes. As part of completing your enrollment, we request that you have a new patient screening appointment with one of our Nursing or Medical Centre Assistant team members.

This new patient appointment enables our team to work with you to better understand your current health and wellbeing.

Following the new patient appointment as above, you can book your first consultation with your nominated doctor.

All GP appointments are 15 minutes long.

  • One appointment is for a single health issue.
  • Should you wish to have a 30-minute GP appointment, it will be charge at a non-subsidized rate.
  • Depending on your age and health, one of our specialist nursing or pharmacist clinicians may be able to spend more time with you.

If you are a new patient, you will get full access to the patient portal “My Indici” once you have completed your enrolment.

Payment is required at time of consultation. Please note that unpaid accounts will incur an additional $10 monthly administration cost.

There may be additional costs for treatments/tests/materials

We recommend that you book your future appointments via your patient portal My Indici.

If you need an urgent appointment, then please phone the clinic. We have doctors available to discuss your urgent health needs on the day.

All consultations are by appointment only.

Patient portals are secure online sites where patients can access their health information and interact with their general practice. Set up access to your patient portal at or email Info@highbrookmedical.co.nz if you would like help.

We recommend that you plan ahead and request your repeat medicines via your patient portal My Indici two weeks before you run out. If you do not have access to a portal, you can phone us and leave a message with the nurse to organise this. Our doctors use an electronic prescribing system which can send your prescription to your local pharmacy (please specify name and location).
The results of tests that have been ordered by our Doctors will be available on My Indici when they have been reviewed. If your test results are of concern you will be contacted by one of our team.

We are open:

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am – 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

For health services after hours visit East Care Accident & Medical, 260 Botany Road, Golflands, Auckland 2013. Their phone is 09 277 1516.

These are consultation prices only.

Under 14 Years - Free
14 - 17 years - $13
18 years & over - $19.50

Note charge is the same for in person or by phone or video as you are still receiving the same high quality health provider assessment, diagnosis and planning.

We understand that things can change on the day, but we ask that you call us to advise that you are not able to make your appointment. If we do not hear from you minimum 2 hours prior to your scheduled time, you will receive an invoice for this missed appointment.