Please note that from 26/02/2024 all consults will be pre-paid upon arrival at the clinic, before you see your GP. See our fees page for more payment information

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Work-Life Balance

Managing Work-Life Balance in 2024

Finding a work-life balance in the fast-paced world of 2024 remains an ongoing challenge for many of us. You might be finding it difficult to carve out quality time with family and friends, or those extra gym sessions have been few and far between. Fortunately, our Health Improvement Practitioner, Claire Bidois, is here to provide you with her top tips for managing work-life balance through boosting your mental health and preventing burnout.

Understanding why it is important to maintain a work-life balance

Sarah, a dedicated Salesperson, was no stranger to the struggles of work-life balance. Sarah’s recent promotion at work has meant that she has had to do extra hours at work to stay on top of her tasks.

“I was so excited when I received this promotion! However, I didn’t expect it to affect my social life and health so much. Not being able to work out or catch up with friends has started to take a toll on me, as I really value my health and friendships.”

Sarah’s case is not unusual. It can be so easy to get caught up with our careers that we forget to prioritise the things we value in our lives. That’s not to say that our careers aren’t important. However, it’s imperative that we take time for our hobbies and relationships outside of work.

Maintaining a work-life balance offers a range of advantages, each contributing to a specific area of your wellness. It plays a pivotal role in enhancing our physical and mental health. By giving ourselves time for self-care, relaxing, unwinding, and focusing on our hobbies outside of work, we can boost our happiness in our personal lives as well as improve our performance at the workplace.

Striking the right balance between work and our personal life allows us to prevent burnout that can be caused by long hours and chronic stress. Furthermore, it means we can come into the workplace refreshed and rejuvenated. Therefore fostering a more productive and innovative work environment. Recent studies have even shown that this leads to higher job satisfaction in the long run.

Key strategies for finding work-life balance

Work-life balance looks different for everyone. We all have different hobbies and values that dictate what we like to do in our spare time. However, if you are struggling with your mental health, then you can try these methods to maintain a work-life balance;

  • Exercise
    • Going to the gym is always a good start. We also recommend that you try to workout outside, as studies have shown that being in nature improves our mood and overall mental health.
  • Social connection
    • Meet up with friends or hang out with family. It’s so important to make plans with your friends and family, even if it’s a while away, but more on that later.
  • Limit Gaming & Social Media
    • We understand this can be a hard one, as may be a hobby for some people. There is definitely a time and place for unwinding by scrolling social media or gaming. However, as fun as these can be, it is important that when we aren’t at work, we don’t spend all of our time at home scrolling social media or gaming.
  • Try learning something new
    • It’s ingrained in us as humans to get a kick out of learning a new activity or picking up a new hobby. It’s so valuable to our mental health to expand our minds by learning something new.
  • Sleep
    • Sleep is an incredibly important factor in mental wellbeing. Adults generally need around 7-8 hours of sleep to feel rested. If you’re a teenager, then aim for 9-10 hours.
Maintain Work-Life Balance

Potential obstacles and how to maintain long-term balance

Give Yourself Something to Look Forward to by Making Plans:

Make plans to look forward to. It’s essential to have something on the horizon to anticipate. Don’t wait; give yourself something to look forward to this weekend.

Whether it’s to hang out with friends, plan a day trip, a hike, or, best of all, to plan a holiday. It could be a week away in another country, or simply taking an extra day or two off during the upcoming long weekend; it’s vital to schedule some time away for relaxation and anticipation. Ensure you’re planning activities and holidays, as it’s nice to look forward to having something on.

Learn to Say No:

This doesn’t mean you have to say ‘no’ to everything. However, it’s important to prioritise yourself and avoid overcommitting. While it may seem like a good idea at the time, saying yes to too many activities can leave you with no time to unwind or pursue your hobbies.

The key is not to overextend yourself. Avoid signing up for or getting involved in too many things. It’s crucial to say ‘no’ occasionally to allow for downtime and relaxation. Maintaining a healthy life balance is essential. Decent downtime on a Sunday afternoon, for example, can be a good way to unwind. Furthermore, self-care is essential. Self-care doesn’t always involve running a bath and relaxing (although that’s not a bad option); sometimes, it can be as simple as sitting at home, watching TV, or relaxing with a good book.

No Screentime:

When hanging out with friends, you could try a no-phones policy.

To truly unwind and be fully present when spending time with friends and family, implement a “no phones policy.” This allows everyone to genuinely connect and live in the moment instead of getting caught up in the virtual world of social media.

Talk to a Health Improvement Practitioner

At Botany Junction Medical, we are so fortunate to have health coaches and health improvement practitioners available who are able to support you with the struggles you may have. Contact our team now to find out more.

As we navigate the complexities of work and life in 2024, the importance of balance can’t be overstated. It’s the key to maintaining our physical and mental health, as well as preventing burnout and sustaining your professional relationships. By prioritising yourself, managing your time wisely, and making plans to look forward to, you pave the way for a more balanced and fulfilling life, both at work and at home

Minor Surgery: Quick and Effective Solutions for your Health

Minor surgery offers quick and effective diagnosis, treatment and recovery for your medical condition. With ample experience in minor surgery, our fantastic GP, Dr Ahmed Kareem, sheds light on all things minor surgery, from mole removal and ingrown toenails to steroid injections and skin tag removal!

Understanding Minor Surgery

Minor surgery refers to surgery that is typically less complex, less invasive, and generally has a lower risk of complications compared to major surgeries. 

These procedures are usually done with local anaesthesia and don’t require a hospital admission or overnight stay. Some GPs are trained in performing minor surgery and can offer this as a convenient service to patients. 

Timely access to minor surgery allows us to take swift and targeted action to achieve great outcomes with minimal disruption to your day-to-day life. 

Common Minor Procedures

At Botany Junction Medical, we are fortunate enough to have specialist GPs that offer a range of services, including:

Mole/Skin tag removal

Ingrown toenail surgery

  • Sometimes, your toenail can grow into the skin around it. This can cause pain or infection. Often in the big toe, the most common cause is due to cutting your toenails incorrectly or from pressure from tight shoes. A simple surgical procedure can remove the pain and infection of the ingrown toenail.

Long-term contraception

  • Long-term contraception methods, such as Mirena or IUD insertions, are effective and practical forms of birth control. This is often a preferred method of birth control for women who don’t want to take the birth control pill or get very heavy periods.

Wart treatment

  • Although often harmless, warts can be painful and bothersome in certain areas of the body, such as feet and genitals. Most warts can be easily treated by freezing the wart off with liquid nitrogen.

Steroid Injection

  • Steroid is an anti-inflammatory medicine that is used to treat a range of conditions, such as joint pain, arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease. When injected into a joint or muscle, steroids inflammation and swelling in the nearby area. This can relieve pain and stiffness.
Mole Removal

Advantages of getting Minor Surgery at your GP Clinic

As previously mentioned, minor surgery is usually a quick and simple procedure that won’t take too much time out of your day. But the benefits don’t stop there, you’ll find minor surgery;

  • Much less invasive than other surgeries due to the nature of the surgery being in such a small and targeted area.
  • To have small insertions with less scarring.
  • Quicker recovery time from your surgery.
  • You can expect a low risk of complications due to such small insertions into the skin.

Preparation and Recovery

Despite the simple and quick manner of the surgery itself, there are a couple of things that need to happen before and after the surgery to ensure that everything goes well.

Firstly, when you see your GP for the initial consultation, don’t expect that your surgery will be completed straight away. Instead, you will have a 15-minute consultation so the GP can get familiar with your condition and recommend the most appropriate next steps. In some instances, surgery may be unnecessary. If that’s the case, you may be provided with medication that will support your health needs instead. Our GPs will also advise you if your condition would be more suitable for treatment by another specialist. 

As with any surgery, there are risks involved. If you are aware of any conditions, allergy to an aesthetic or needle phobia, please let your GP know straight away.

We will provide you with post-operation instructions and advice. Good wound care reduces the risk of post-operation infections. We’ll let you know when you should attend for a routine wound review, however if you have any concerns regarding bleeding or possible wound infections, please contact us to discuss.

In summary, minor surgery is a quick and effective solution for various medical conditions that might otherwise trouble you in your day-to-day life. Patients can rely on the expertise of myself and Dr Carlos Lam Yang at Botany Junction Medical to ensure high-quality healthcare.

Call us to book your minor surgery now!

Breast Cancer Self Screening

Prioritising Breast Health: Cancer Awareness & Self-Screening for Prevention

Breast cancer, much like all forms of cancer, can often go unnoticed and untreated for a long time if proactive action is not taken. With a keen interest and expert knowledge of women’s health, Dr Jayani Kannangara has shared her top tips for prioritising your breast health.

An Unwelcome Intruder

Breast cancer is like a stealthy intruder that sneaks into the house of your body. Just as an unwelcome guest can enter your home unnoticed, breast cancer can silently develop within your breast tissue. Like a skilled infiltrator, it spreads its presence without raising any immediate alarms. 

Developing as a tumour and affecting 1 in 9 New Zealand women at some point in their lifetime, breast cancer comes in a few different forms:

  1. Benign (non-cancerous)
  2. Malignant (cancerous) 

Of the malignant forms of breast cancer, there are a few different types that require different treatments. This includes;

  • Pre Invasive Breast Cancer
  • Invasive Breast Cancer

Pre-invasive breast cancer 

Also known as DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) or LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ), isn’t actually breast cancer… yet. However, it can develop into breast cancer if it is left untreated. It’s important to speak with your GP for a proper diagnosis if you notice an unusual lump or growth.

Invasive breast cancer

Invasive breast cancer spreads from the milk ducts or the lobules of the breast into the breast tissue. Often, invasive breast cancer can sometimes be hard to identify. In which case, you may not even realise that it’s there, so it’s best practice to maintain regular Mammograms.

Reducing your Risk of Breast Cancer

Unfortunately, there is not yet an absolutely proven way to prevent breast cancer. However, you can still make proactive lifestyle choices to decrease your risk of developing breast cancer. We can be sure that there are several basic lifestyle-based choices you can make to decrease your chance of developing breast cancer, including:

  • Regular Physical activity
  • Reducing Alcohol consumption
  • Maintaining Healthy Sleep patterns

There are certain risk factors that are associated with breast cancer that we cannot control, including age and genetics. So it’s important to take action on the ones you can control. Regular physical activity such as brisk walking, cycling, or even dancing can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of breast cancer. Limiting alcohol consumption not only reduces your risk of breast cancer but also has many positive effects on your overall health. Finally, your should try to maintain a regular sleep schedule. This includes going to bed and waking up at the same time. As well as maintaining between 7-8 hours of sleep too. 

checking for breast cancer

Time to investigate! 

Breast cancer self-screening is like being the detective of your own health. Just as a skilled detective diligently investigates every clue and follows leads to solve a case, you take on the role of a health detective when you’re checking for breast cancer. Armed with knowledge and awareness, you can carefully examine your breasts, searching for any unusual changes or signs that may indicate a potential health concern. Just like a detective’s keen eye spots even the tiniest details that might go unnoticed by others, your vigilant self-screening allows you to detect any abnormalities at their earliest stages. By taking on this detective role, you become the lead figure in your own health journey, actively working towards the best possible outcome and ensuring that your breast health remains a top priority.

Try following these steps once a month to perform a breast cancer self-screening: 

  1. stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders square and hands on your hips. Keep an eye out for any unusual size, shape or colour, including a dimpling of the skin or unusual soreness or swelling.
  2. Now raise your arms up in the air and check for the same symptoms.
  3. Next, lie down. Using your left hand, carefully feel your right breast, and vice versa for your right breast. Move your fingers in a circular motion, from cleavage to armpit then towards the stomach, and see if you notice any unusual bumps. 
  4. Lastly, repeat the same action whilst standing or sitting.
self screening checklist

When should I contact my GP?

If you do notice something a little out of the ordinary when completing one of your regular self-screening – there is no reason to panic. However, we do encourage swift action. Contact your GP to discuss what is going on. Your GP can effectively assess the situation, provide guidance and determine whether or not further diagnostics tests are necessary. 

It’s important to note that not every breast lump is cancerous. However, it is better to err on the side of caution. 

Do I need a Mammogram if I’m already Self-Screening?

Did you know women have a 95% chance of surviving breast cancer for five years or longer if the cancer is detected by a mammogram? Better yet, in New Zealand women aged between 45 to 69 years can get a free mammogram every 2 years! 

Monthly self-screening, alongside bi-yearly mammograms, ensures you’re doing your best to protect your breasts. A mammogram is a fairly simple process. Your breasts will be gently compressed between two glass slides to obtain clear and detailed images. The glass slides produce specialized X-ray images of the breasts that can detect abnormalities, such as lumps that might not be noticeable when performing self-screening. 

Just as a vigilant homeowner keeps an eye out for any signs of an intruder, it’s important for us to be aware and proactive about our breast health. Regular check-ups, screenings, and self-examinations act as the security system that helps us detect and intercept breast cancer in its early stages. By being proactive and vigilant, we can catch the intruder early. This ensures a better chance at successful treatment and ultimately protects our bodies. Remember, early detection is our best defence against this stealthy foe. 

Covid in Kids | Caring for tamariki with Covid-19

Caring for tamariki with Covid-19

Sound medical advice for children with Covid from Colleen Bowring, our wonderful Director of Nursing. Find out about signs of an unwell child with Covid through to caring for them here.

As winter takes hold, more of us are getting respiratory infections, including Covid-19. Unsurprisingly, our school and kindy age kids are at risk too. We’re seeing lots of cases of Covid in kids. Naturally, parents get worried when kids get sick. Rest assured, you can do simple things that really help when caring for tamariki with Covid at home.

First and foremost, if little ones are at all unwell, keep them home from school or daycare to prevent spreading sickness to others.

Keep up hygiene measures like frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitiser to reduce the spread between household members.

Covid -19 symptoms in children

Confusingly, lots of respiratory illnesses have similar symptoms, but the most common ones for Covid-19 in children are:

  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Sore or scratchy throat
  • Headache or sore tummy
  • Feeling tired
  • Fever
  • Aching muscles
  • Upset tummy, Diarrhoea

If you think your tamariki may have Covid-19, do a Rapid Antigen Test, as this helps you know what you are treating. Also, remember to report the result on My Covid Record | Ministry of Health NZ.

Because by registering, you will receive the information and help you may need to care for your whānau at this time.

Caring for tamariki with Covid-19

Be reassured that although you may feel stressed about a Covid-19 positive result, looking after your child safely at home is likely to be similar to times they’ve had other viral illnesses.

Five ways to help you care for Covid positive tamariki at home

1: Keep a record: For a start, keep a record of your child’s symptoms and watch for changes in their condition. Record their temperature, how much they drink and when they pass water. Another tip is to write down the times you give paracetamol or ibuprofen.This will help you ensure you are giving safe dosages.

2: Drink and Food: Most importantly, encourage tamariki to have regular drinks.

Our top 5 tips on kids nutrition while caring for tamariki who are ill with Covid:

  • Water or diluted apple juice is good, while lemonade ice blocks are tasty and cooling.
  • We also really like Pediatric Elecrotye drinks such as Pedialyte as it really does help to rehydrate our little ones – you can get it in raspberry, lemonade and peach mango, so there are some yummy flavours that go down a treat!
  • Breastfeed babies regularly as this keeps them well hydrated and it is also comforting.
  • However, fizzy drinks are not so good at this time and may unsettle little tummies.
  • Don’t worry if your child does not eat much. Sometimes some clear soup and bread or slices of apple or cucumber may be the most they feel up to.

3: Temperature:  Additionally, keep an eye on their temperature. If your child is feverish, don’t dress them too warmly and give them paracetamol or ibuprofen. They may be tired and need extra naps. In kids, a temperature with Covid is common. Anything over 38 degrees is considered a fever, but you can find out more details about fevers here.

4: Vomiting: Moreover, some children vomit as a symptom of Covid. Remember to give small amounts of water frequently, or again, a lemonade ice block is helpful to encourage fluids. However, if you are concerned that your child is dehydrated, contact your doctor or Healthline for advice. Watching out for wet nappies is an important indicator for babies and toddlers.

5: Finally, it is worth remembering that for most children, Covid symptoms are relatively mild and usually last 4 to 5 days.

One of the best things we can do to protect our tamariki and indeed all our whānau is to get kids over five vaccinated. Vaccination helps to protect them from severe illness.

How to recognise signs of an unwell child with Covid-19

  • Drinking less than half the normal amount
  • Difficulty breathing (breathing hard or fast)
  • Pain not relieved by Pamol or ibuprofen
  • Very lethargic or sleepy
  • Severe tummy pain, chest pain or headache
  • Fever lasting for more than seven days

Seeking medical advice for a child with Covid-19

If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, contact us at Botany Junction or ring Healthline for overnight medical advice for kids with Covid.

However, in an emergency, dial 111.

Sometimes we all need a little extra information and reassurance. Fortunately, there are lots of great resources out there. We like this video from our friends at Starship.

Caring for your Child with Covid-19 by Starship Children’s Hospital

Always remember that at Highbrook, we are here to help you – especially while you are caring for an unwell child with signs of Covid-19. Please ring our friendly customer services team. They will ensure you get a callback or the help you need for Covid symptoms in kids.  

Signs of an unwell child with Covid-19 | Medical advice for kids with Covid

100% vaccinated employees

A proud team of 100% Vaccinated employees

Proud to have a fully vaccinated team

We hit a great milestone of getting our amazing team of employees 100% Vaccinated for Covid-19 this week. We’ve been encouraging our East and South Auckland communities to get vaccinated to build their immunity. It’s important to us that we lead from the front.   So, all of our staff at our clinics have prioritised getting their second jabs, so we are fully Covid-19 vaccinated.

We’re committed to 100% Vaccination across our clinics

Our sister clinics, Highbrook Medical & Ormiston Medical, and the team at Botany Junction Medical are committed to maintaining our 100% employee vaccination rate. Firstly, this means that we now have another way of protecting not just ourselves and our families, but also all of our community when they come to see us at any of our clinics.  We will continue with all the other good ways of protecting you. This includes wearing gowns and masks and washing or sanitizing our hands. We’ll ask you to scan in with the Covid Tracer, wear a mask and keep two meters from other people while at the clinic. 

Secondly, we would love to ask you to join us to achieve another very important goal. Please help us make this happen.

Helping our community achieve a high goal too

We want to vaccinate as many people in our community as are able to have the vaccine. That is all of you over the age of 12 years!  It’s a big target, but a very important one to reach.

It’s really important because if you’ve had both doses of the vaccine are much less likely to get very sick or be hospitalised if you do get Covid-19. Also, when more of us are vaccinated, it will be harder for the disease to spread.

Most importantly, by having the Covid vaccination you can protect your whole whānau.  This includes those young ones under the age of 12 who cannot be vaccinated yet but can still get sick. We know that Delta can affect all ages, so the best way to protect everyone from getting ill – from little babies to kaumātua – is to vaccinate. 

Also, because our employees are 100% vaccinated, we can give extra protection to our kuia and koroua and people with long-term illnesses like diabetes, who are more at risk if they do get sick.  Protecting our loved ones and our neighbourhood is a team effort.

Still unsure about having the vaccine?

This is something we can achieve if we all get on board. But, if you are still a little unsure about having the vaccine, please ring to talk with us. Our team speak many different languages and we are happy to listen to your questions. We can help you make sense of any confusing things you may have heard on social media or from friends. We are very open to hearing your worries.  We’re sharing the content we think you need to know on our Facebook page, so follow us there for updates.

Staying focused on moving to Level 2

Remember, if you have even the slightest sore throat or runny nose call us to get tested for Covid 19.  We’ve done great work as a community in the last weeks. Keep your bubble small, shop and exercise locally, scan in and wear a mask.

Most important of all, come to get a vaccination. Reach out to all your family and friends to help them feel comfortable about coming for a vaccination too. It is really our best way back to a more normal way of living, returning to work, attending activities, events and rejoining the community activities that we all love.

Finally, we want to acknowledge our amazing team for standing together in this goal of having our employees 100% vaccinated. It’s no mean feat getting everyone onboard across 3 clinics, so we feel privileged to work with a team who stands behind each other in all aspects of their mahi.

Supporting whānau health and wellbeing during lockdown

Here to support whānau health and wellbeing

It’s extremely important to all of our team to support whānau health and wellbeing for all of you during this Covid-19 Lockdown.

As Auckland remains at Level 4 lockdown for another two weeks, we are thinking about our patients and our East Tāmaki community, at this challenging time.
We recognise how stressful it is for you and how many different tasks you are trying to juggle. Working, home schooling, caring for whānau and putting food on the table take on a new dimension, as does trying to look after your own health and wellbeing.

Our Botany Junction clinic remains open and we are here to help.

If you are needing a Covid test, because you are a contact of a positive case or you have been at a location of interest, stay at home and phone us to make an appointment for a Covid swab. Over the weekend, there are drive-thru swabbing tents nearby at East Care Urgent Care Clinic too. Remember, if you have cold-like symptoms it is important to get a Covid test, as many Covid 19 symptoms are just like having a cold or the flu.

Booking your Covid-19 Vaccination

Many of our patients are still waiting to be vaccinated. Book in your Covid vaccination by using the National Booking system and entering our clinic code: KDE8ZFQ93D If you already have an appointment scheduled for either your first or second vaccination please come to have it. However, if you are self-isolating or are sick please call us to rebook. We are set up to provide this service safely for both you and our staff. Getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect the health and wellbeing of yourself, your whānau and our community from serious or life-threatening illness.

The Covid vaccination is completely FREE and everyone in New Zealand over the age of 12 is eligible (as of 1st September) for vaccination, even if they are only a visitor to the country.
The Pfizer vaccine which is being given in New Zealand has been tested extensively for safety overseas and has also been approved by Medsafe, our regulatory board. Find out more about how we can support whānau to get Covid vaccinations here.

Please don’t put off seeking medical assistance

Also, it is of great importance to us at Botany Junction Clinic that if you or a family member is sick with other health issues, please don’t put off getting help and treatment. Ring us and a phone or video appointment can be arranged. If it is necessary, an in person appointment can be arranged.
It is not just physical illness that may be of concern at this time. If you are worried about your mental wellbeing do contact us as we can support you in all aspects of health and wellbeing, and advise you on how to access further treatment. We have a specialist health coach and Health Improvement Practitioner who can help.
To you all, keep up the good work and Kia Kaha.

Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout South Auckland

Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout

The team at Botany Junction Medical is very excited to announce that we are opening our COVID-19 vaccination clinic next week, for our registered patients by appointment only.

We are proud to be amongst the first GP clinics to start rolling out the vaccinations to East and South Auckland Primary Care patients. 

From next Monday 17th May, our team will start vaccinating,  by booked appointment only, the following people as per MoH guidelines:

  • East and South Auckland people who are aged 65 and over
  • Māori and Pacific people older than 55 years.

We’ll be keeping you updated as soon as we know more about when we can open vaccinations to the general populations. 

Please note that you may also receive a message from Counties Manukau DHB inviting you to attend one of the mass vaccination sites for your vaccine.

You can choose where you receive your vaccination, the most important thing is to get it done.

Please keep a lookout on the government Covid website for updated information

FAQs

What do I need to do to get a Covid vaccine? 

We will contact you to make an appointment when you are eligible for your Covid vaccine.

Do I need an appointment? 

Yes, you are required to have an appointment. You can contact one of our Customer Service team members on 09 265 1325 to book a time that is convenient for you.

Given the Ministry of Health Administration process required and after vaccine observation time necessary, we recommend that you allow up to an hour for this appointment to be completed.

How do I prepare for the vaccine?

If you have had another vaccination recently, such as the flu or a Tetanus vaccination please make sure you wait 2 weeks before getting the COVID-19 Vaccination.  If you have had the Zostavax (shingles) vaccine you will need to wait 4 weeks until you can have your Covid vaccine.

No other preparation is required but, as usual, only come into the clinic when you have no covid related symptoms.

Which Vaccine will I get?

In New Zealand, we have access to the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine. The shot is given in the muscle of the upper arm. The clinical trials performed on the Pfizer vaccine show it’s approximately 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19, seven days after receiving two doses.

When will I get my second dose?

The second dose must be at least 21 days following your first dose. We will discuss your vaccination schedule during your appointment and book another appointment.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

We recommend that you bring a water bottle and something to read/do during your observation time.

What else should we be doing?

Vaccines are just one part of our strategy to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand. We need to keep washing our hands, staying home if we’re unwell and using the COVID Tracer App or keeping a record of where we’ve been. Testing for Covid will be an important ongoing part of keeping Aotearoa safe.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccination Safe?

Medsafe have a great resource here about their vaccine assessment and approval process.

No vaccine will be made available for public use in New Zealand until Medsafe complete their assessment and it’s been approved.

Read more about the safety of the Vaccine at the MOH site.

Will there be side effects?

Like all medicines, the vaccine may cause side effects in some people. Most side effects are mild and don’t last long.  The shot may cause temporary pain, redness, and swelling at the site of the injection.

Find out more about side effects

What is New Zealand’s MOH Vaccination Plan?

  • to put safety first with all COVID-19 vaccines
  • secure enough safe and effective vaccines to protect Aotearoa and the Pacific
  • protect Māori, Pacific peoples, and other groups at greater risk of COVID-19
  • make it easy for people to get vaccinated
  • ensure we are prepared for future outbreaks
  • support New Zealand’s contribution to global wellbeing.

If you have further questions, or to book an appointment, please call us on 09 235 1325.

If you would like to find out more about becoming an enrolled patient at our clinic.

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