Following a recent meningococcal (meningitis) case reported in Dunedin, it is also a good time to check your vaccination status and stay up to date with recommended immunisations.
If you are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms, please stay home and take time to recover before returning to campus. Resting and avoiding contact with others when you are sick helps protect your friends, classmates, lecturers and the wider UC community.
The UCSA will once again be funding free flu vaccinations for students this year. The UC Health Centre provides free flu vaccines for students who are enrolled at the clinic. Non-enrolled students can also attend the Health Centre to get a free flu vaccine, subsidised by the UCSA. This will likely be in April.
You may also be eligible for a COVID-19 booster at UC Pharmacy or via BookMyVaccine online:
People aged 30 and over can receive a booster if it has been at least six months since their last COVID-19 vaccination, and it is recommended that it has also been at least six months since a COVID-19 infection.
For those aged 16–29, boosters are funded only for people with certain health risk factors. The pharmacy can assess eligibility using the Ministry of Health checklist. In exceptional circumstances, boosters may also be available with a prescription following a consultation with a doctor.
Meningococcal (meningitis) vaccination reminder
Following a recent meningococcal (meningitis) case reported in Dunedin, we would also like to remind students about meningococcal vaccination.
This illness spreads through close contact and can become serious quickly.
Domestic students aged under 25 who are living in their first year in a Hall of Residence can receive a free meningococcal vaccination. This can be arranged through your usual GP, by booking directly with the UC Health Centre, or by making an appointment through BookMyVaccine online.
If your last meningococcal vaccination was more than five years ago, you may need a booster dose. Contact your doctor or check your My Health Record, where your immunisation history is recorded, to confirm whether a booster is recommended.
If you have questions about vaccinations or your eligibility, the UC Health Centre, a GP, or the University Pharmacy can help.
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