Vaccinations

Meningococcal vaccines provide vital protection against meningococcal disease. This is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to life-threatening illnesses, such as meningitis and sepsis.

While many people recover, the impact of the disease can be life-changing. It is a leading cause of sudden, severe illness, and survivors often face lasting health problems or permanent disability.

Current health data shows that:

• Māori and Pacific communities are more likely to be affected by the disease.
• Young people living in shared spaces, such as university halls of residence or flats, are at a higher risk.

Meningococcal B (Bexsero)

• Meningococcal B (Bexsero) is given as two doses eight weeks apart. It is free for NZ residents under 25 during their first year living in the halls of residence.
• Meningococcal B (Bexsero) is recommended for all students living in communal or international accommodation, though funding only applies to those in halls of residence. It is available for purchase at a cost of $135 + nurse fee*, per dose.

Meningococcal ACWY (MenQuadFi or Menactra)

• Meningococcal ACWY (MenQuadFi or Menactra) is given as a single dose. It is free for NZ residents under 25 during their first year living in the halls of residence.
• Meningococcal ACWY (MenQuadFi or Menactra) is recommended for all students living in communal or international accommodation, though funding only applies to those in halls of residence. It is available for purchase at a cost of $130 + nurse fee*, per dose.

*Nurse appointments: $0 for New Zealand residents enrolled at Student Health Hamilton.

Visit Healthyfi for more information on menigogoccal vaccines.

It is recommended that all adults get a flu vaccination every year to stay healthy and help stop the virus from spreading. You should get vaccinated as soon as possible, with doses becoming available from 1 April.

Vaccination is free for NZ residents who have:

• long-term conditions such as diabetes, coeliac disease, or asthma if taking regular preventor medicine
• reduced immune function
• pregnant people
• mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or those currently accessing mental health and addiction services.

Students who are not eligible for a free vaccine can get one for $20 at Student Health Hamilton. To book your appointment, please phone the clinic to see a nurse.

Visit Healthyfi for more information on influenza vaccines.

The HPV vaccine helps protect you against genital warts and certain types of cancers. While these are usually given at age 12, New Zealand residents can still get the vaccine for free up until they turn 27.

The vaccination involves three doses of Gardasil-9, given over six months (at zero, two, and six-month intervals).

If you are a non-NZ resident or are aged 27 and over, you can purchase the vaccine at Student Health Hamilton. Each dose costs $200, plus a nurse fee for the appointment.

If you are a health student going on a clinical placement, you must provide proof of your vaccinations and blood test results for your immunisation report.

Required vaccinations

The following vaccines are required for your report:

• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
• Hepatitis B (if you are not immune)
• Varicella (Chickenpox, if you are not immune)
• COVID-19 (please note this is not available at Student Health)

Blood test requirements

You must complete blood tests before your nurse appointment. You can request these yourself at Pathlab. You will need to pay Pathlab directly for these tests as they are not funded. The required tests are:

• Hepatitis B antigen and antibody
• Varicella antibody
• Tuberculosis QuantiFERON gold (this is not required for Clinical Psychology students)

Booking your appointment

If you are enrolled with Student Health Hamilton, please phone and book an appointment with a nurse for your immunisation report.

Costs

• Nurse appointment Fee: $10 for enrolled students or $42 for international students.
• Vaccine costs: If you require any vaccinations, you must pay for these at Student Health.

Student Health does not offer COVID-19 vaccines. You can get these at local vaccinating pharmacies.

To book your appointment, please use the Book My Vaccine website.