Flu vaccination will begin in April.

Once we have received the vaccine we will organise clinics and advertise these here on the website and in the Kaikoura Star.

If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 (otherwise known as the CORONAVIRUS) you can phone the Ministry of Health on: 0800 358 5453.  The number is free and is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.  

COVID-19 is spread by people coughing or sneezing, close personal contact and coming into contact with an object or surface with viral particles on it (then touching your mouth, nose or eyes).

Symptoms:  the symptoms are similar to a range of other illnesses such as influenza and do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19.  They include: fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.  Difficulty breathing can be a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.  

Please do not come to Kaikōura Health Te Hā O Te Ora unless instructed.

If you are concerned that you or a family member may have the virus we ask that you CALL and speak to a receptionist.    Our reception team will have a Nurse or Doctor call you.  If necessary we will arrange for you to come in via a side entrance and be seen in our isolation room.  This way we will minimise the chances of the infection being spread

Travellers who become sick within 14 days of their arrival in New Zealand are encouraged to seek medical advice.  It is important to mention any recent travel to China and/or any contact with someone with severe acute respiratory illness who has been in China.

Prevention

Keeping individuals, families and our communities safe and healthy in the current global environment requires a team effort. So practicing good hygiene, regularly washing your hands, and practicing good cough etiquette (maintaining distance, covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing and washing hands) is really important in keeping yourself and the community safe.

The most important way to stop the spread of infections: 

• Regularly wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap and dry thoroughly) 

• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze 

• Stay home if you’re sick 

• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms 

• If you do feel unwell you should avoid public gatherings and events 

• On current advice, hand and cough hygiene are more effective than masks for reducing the spread of novel Coronavirus.

Where to go for further information 

The situation throughout the world is changing daily and the Ministry of Health is working to keep the health sector and the public up to date as these changes occur. You can ring Healthline (for free) on 0800 611 116 or you can visit the Ministry of Health’s website at:   www.health.govt.nz/coronavirus more information on 2019-nCoV   

What is HPV?

Human Papillomaviruses are common viruses, some of which cause genital warts, various cancers and other diseases.  There are more than 150 types of HPV, at least 14 are linked to cancer.

How do you catch it?

HPV is very contagious and can spread through skin to skin contact.  HPV can be spread through sexual intercourse, including hand genital contact and oral sex and from infected mothers to their new born baby during birth.

Symptoms

As most people do not know when they are infected, an infected person can unknowingly spread the virus to others. 

Generally people have no symptoms of HPV infection, except as genital warts. It is therefore important for all women to undergo regular cervical smear tests, whether they have been vaccinated or not. Currently, around 150 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 50 women die from it each year in New Zealand.  If left undetected HPV can lead to cancer, including cervical cancer, anal cancer and cancers affecting the mouth, throat, vulva, vagina and penis. 

Prevention

HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection with the most common high risk HPV types. The best time for HPV Immunisation is prior to any sexual activity.  HPV vaccine is recommended and funded for girls and boys aged 9 to under 27 years. 

Please contact the practice and ask to speak to a Practice Nurse on 03 3193501 if you have any questions or talk to the reception team if you would like to book to have the vaccination.

Follow the link below for further information or visit the Immunisation Advisory Centre website:  www.immune.org.nz 

https://www.immune.org.nz/sites/default/files/resources/Written%20Resources/DiseaseHpvImac20170116V01Final.pdf