Looking to get a flu vaccination to head off New Zealand flu season? Book a flu vaccination near you at your local Bargain Chemist so you can ensure you are protected from the worst effects of the flu season. The flu is a common viral infection that can be deadly, especially in high-risk groups. The flu attacks the lungs, nose and throat. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic disease or weak immune systems are at high risk.


Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches and fatigue.


Getting a flu vaccination helps teach your body to produce antibodies against the flu virus. This means your body can respond faster and more effectively to the flu. By first coming across a non-infectious version of the virus in the vaccine, it learns to recognise it. When it comes across it again, your body can react much faster and in a more effective way. Even if you get the flu after being vaccinated, you usually get a mild form of it and recover faster, and are less likely to have serious complications.

 

Corporate Voucher Option

 

The 2024 flu vaccination program is an important priority to your business. The impact of influenza spreading across the workplace can be very costly for businesses. The flu vaccination is the most effective way for employers to protect their employees. By encouraging teams to immunise against the flu, it can help decrease the chance of it spreading and reduce the risk of productivity losses. Flu vaccinations not only protect the individual vaccinated, but it also protects others around them who may be more vulnerable to the infection.

With Bargain Chemist stores across New Zealand offering flu vaccinations, we can provide a location that best suits your team to get vaccinated.

If you are wanting to inquire or easily book a corporate or group voucher, please email us at bookings@bargainchemist.co.nz

 

When can I get a flu shot?

Available from 02/04/2024 - 31/12/2024 in selected Bargain Chemist stores.

Make a booking
Please select a time that suits you and follow the booking process of adding your details. See below for FAQ on how to make a booking, change or cancel your booking once it has been confirmed.
FAQ
For more information about Influenza and immunisation, read our Frequently Asked Questions below
How much does the flu vaccine cost?

$22.99

Am I eligible for a free vaccine
  • pregnant people
  • everyone aged 65 years and older
  • adults with underlying health conditions including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and serious asthma or respiratory disease
  • adults with an autoimmune disease, a cochlear implant or Down syndrome
  • anyone with mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder or those currently accessing mental health services.
  • The funded flu vaccine for children and adults (6 months of age and over) available in Aotearoa New Zealand is called Influvac Tetra.
  • Check with our vaccinating pharmacist if you're eligible for a free flu vaccine.
What are the benefits of the flu vaccination?

The best way to protect yourself and others from getting the flu.

●  You are likely to have fewer sick days and fewer days away from work or school.

●  Even if you still catch the flu despite having the vaccination, your symptoms are likely to be milder.

●  Having a flu vaccine every year can keep older people healthy and active for longer.

●  When given to pregnant women, it protects the mother and her baby against the flu.

●  Even if you don't feel sick, without the vaccine you could still be infected with the flu and pass it on to others.

●  By getting the vaccine, you will help protect vulnerable people in your community, such as very young children, elderly people and people with long-term health conditions.

When should I have the flu vaccination?

Best time to get vaccinated is before the winter season starts (May-July). This is due to the fact that the likelihood of influenza virus strains circulating significantly increases during the winter months.

Note: it can take up to 2 weeks for the vaccine to provide the best influenza protection.

What are the expected side effects of the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is mostly well tolerated. Common side effects include pain, redness and/or swelling at the site of injection for a day or two; mild fever. Muscle aches or headaches within the first two days. Rarely, an allergic response can occur.

Does the flu vaccine protect against COVID-19?

The flu vaccine won’t protect you against COVID-19 (coronavirus), but it will reduce your risk of influenza - which leads to thousands of hospitalisations each year. By getting the flu vaccine, you can reduce the strain on the health service.

When in store please ask about the Covid-19 vaccination inluding boosters

Is a pharmacist able to administer a flu shot?

Yes, we have trained pharmacists to administer flu shots.

Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?

Protection from the previous vaccination lessens over time. The circulating influenza viruses can change and the strains in the vaccine usually change each year in response to the changing virus pattern.

I am a healthy person; do I need a flu vaccine?

Although people with medical conditions, like asthma and diabetes, are most at risk of complications from the flu, healthy adults, children and infants can still become seriously ill and even die from the flu. Also, healthy people can spread the flu to others around them. It is recommended that even healthy people have the flu vaccine.

When is it too late in the season to get the flu vaccine?

Best to get before May for best protection, however you have until December to get the flu vaccine.

How quickly will I develop immunity after receiving the flu vaccine?

It takes up to two weeks for the influenza immunisation to start providing protection.

Booking FAQ
For more information about booking your Flu Vaccination read our Frequently Asked Questions below
How do I make a booking?

Follow our ‘book now’ link and select a Bargain Chemist store near you. Select a date and time that suits you for your vaccination. Enter your details name, email, phone number.

Do I pay online or instore?

Pay In-store at the time of your vaccination if you aren't eligible for a funded vaccination.


How do I cancel or change my appointment?

From your confirmation email, you will be able to follow the link to change or cancel your appointment. If you are unable to do this, get in contact with your local Bargain Chemist and pharmacy staff can reschedule or cancel your appointment over the phone. Rescheduling is subject to booking availability.

What do I do if I miss my appointment?

If you miss your appointment, get in contact with your local Bargain Chemist to let them know to cancel or reschedule. If you are aware that you can’t make your appointment, you can reschedule through the link in your confirmation email.

How long does an appointment take?

Each vaccination appointment is 10 minutes with a recommended observation time of 20 minutes.

What happens during the appointment?

When you arrive, report to the dispensary that you have a flu vaccine booking. A pharmacist vaccinator will discuss your pre vaccination screening and consent form. The immunisation service will be provided in a private consultation area by trained pharmacist vaccinator. You will be required to stay within the pharmacy for a further 20 minutes under observation to monitor for the unlikely event of an adverse reaction to the vaccine.