Get vaccinated ahead of winter
Health New Zealand is encouraging people to prepare for winter by getting their recommended immunisations for influenza (flu), COVID-19, and whooping cough (pertussis).
The flu vaccine is available from 1st April 2026 and is FREE for eligible groups including people aged 65+, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions.
The COVID-19 vaccine is available all year round and additional doses are FREE for eligible people aged 30 years old and over, with a focus on people at higher risk of severe disease.
Dr Christine McIntosh, Clinical Director – Prevention Immunisation, says keeping up to date with immunisations helps protect whānau and communities.
“Winter brings an increase in respiratory illnesses. Immunisation is one of the best ways to stay well and reduce the risk of severe illness.”
New Zealand declared a Pertussis epidemic in November 2024. Whooping cough is still circulating in our communities.
“Whooping cough is particularly serious for newborn babies. Making sure women are vaccinated from 16 weeks of every pregnancy and babies receive their 6-week immunisations on time is important to keeping our youngest safe.”
Health NZ is committed to ensuring more people get the right healthcare when and where they need it. Vaccinations are available from GPs, pharmacies, Māori and Pacific providers, some midwives and community vaccinators.
Find out more about vaccine eligibility and where you can get vaccinated (Health NZ).
Welcome to Waka Toa Ora
Waka Toa Ora is a Canterbury DHB-led inter-sectoral collaborative partnership in the Canterbury region. The partnership is based on the WHO Healthy Cities model, and was previously known as Healthy Christchurch.
The key theme of initiative is that all sectors and groups have a role to play in creating a healthy Canterbury, whatever their specific focus (recreation, employment, youth, environmental enhancement, transport, housing or another aspect of health or wellbeing).
This inter-sectoral initiative fosters collaboration between organisations who have signed the Waka Toa Ora Charter.
Read the Waka Toa Ora Charter - updated July 2019.
The new name Waka Toa Ora communicates that we are all in a waka together. We are rowing in the same direction and navigating the many dimensions of wellbeing (physical, social, spiritual, and mental and emotional — hau ora, wai ora, mauri ora, toi ora). We are stronger navigating the regional landscape together.
There are currently over 200 charter signatories to the Waka Toa Ora Charter, including government agencies, businesses, voluntary sector groups, networks and residents’ associations. The organisations involved reflect a diverse focus and cover many aspects of health and wellbeing.
