Immunisation - protecting your whakapapa

To find an Immunisation clinic near you go to Healthpoint 
Immunisation • Northland • Healthpoint

To find a COVID-19 testing clinic near you go to Healthpoint
COVID-19 Testing • Northland • Healthpoint

From 1 July 2024, those aged 14 years and over will be charged for COVID-19 healthcare visits at their doctor as they would for any other non-COVID-19 healthcare visits.

All tamariki aged 13 and under who are eligible for publicly funded health services, are eligible for free visits during normal business hours at their usual doctor, hauora provider or healthcare provider, including for COVID-19 healthcare.

COVID-19 vaccines remain free for those who are eligible which includes everyone aged 5 and over, and tamariki from 6 months who are at greater risk of severe illness if they were to get COVID-19.

Measles

Measles is a serious disease that can make you very sick. Getting immunised is the best way to protect you, your whānau and community from catching and spreading measles. 

If you’re aged 18-34, you may not have been fully vaccinated against measles. 

• Where can I get immunised
• Māori Health Providers
• How you get Measles
• Symptoms and treatment
• Good reasons to get immunised
• Is the measles (MMR) vaccine safe? 
• Te Whatu Ora measles information 

FREE masks and RATs for the public and Distribution Sites in Northland (Monday to Friday) 

RATs will continue to be available for free until 30 June 2024.

You can pick up free RATs from participating pharmacies and RAT collection sites across the motu.
Find your nearest collection site: https://healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/

Ring 0800 222 478 if you live rurally, have a disability, are immunocompromised or have difficulty accessing RATs and need some additional information and support. This includes delivery if necessary.

Free P2/N95 masks continue to be available to those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 until 30 June 2024. Medical masks remain free for everyone until 29 February 2024.

Find collection sites that offer free masks: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/?covidTesting
We encourage you to call ahead to make sure they are in stock before you go.

Find out more about testing: https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/covid-19/testing-and-reporting/

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau COVID-19 RATs Community Collection Sites

Me whakapapa te ora - Immunisation is one way to protect whakapapa

Ngā Tātai Ihorangi provides health services for the first 2000 days of a tamariki life.  Immunising our tamariki against vaccine preventable diseases not only protects them but also others in the community, those who cannot be immunised or have low immunity.

Key points to remember about immunisation:

• immunisation protects your child against a range of serious and sometimes fatal diseases
• immunisation on time is the most effective way to protect pregnant mums, babies and children from preventable disease
• immunisations begin when your child is 6 weeks old
• immunisations on the National Immunisation Schedule are free in New Zealand for babies, children and young people until their 18th birthday
• the benefits of immunisation far outweigh the risks.  

Why does my child need immunisation?

In the past, diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough killed many children. Today, we use vaccines to immunise children against these and other diseases.

Immunisation has wiped out some of the killer diseases of childhood in New Zealand.

• Tetanus is very rare - although it still happens in children who haven't been immunised
• New Zealand is free of polio and diphtheria.

But, these diseases still exist in other countries.

The National Immunisation Schedule is designed to provide the best protection for our tamariki, their whānau and the hapori whānui (wider community).

Immunisations are free and normally provided at your Te Whatu Ora, Māori Health Service, Community Health Centre or GP practice.

Once pēpi is a few weeks old, you should receive a welcome letter or text encouraging you to make an appointment at six weeks for pēpis first immunisations.

If you are undecided about vaccination, please have a discussion with the practice nurse or visit www.immune.org.nz and/or call 0800 IMMUNE.

The Aotearoa Immunisation Register records childhood immunisations. 

When to immunise your child

Tamariki Hauora Clinic

All childhood and pregnancy immunisations available.

• 22B Commerce Street, Whangārei - Thursdays, 8.30am-4pm (drop-in; no appointment needed)

For information on these other Vaccination Clinics go to this website page. 

See below for summary of when to immunise or the current schedule is be viewed on the HealthEd website.

Immunisation for older adults

Click here for immunisation information for older adults. 

Video resources