This is an important message to protect any student off to University.

Below is a lot of information regarding the vaccines available to students and the cost as well if students do not fit the funded criteria but would still like to have one. I have spoken to IMAC about students from overseas currently studying and we can vaccinate at no cost to those students if they are under the age of 18 who are living in NZ and who fit the eligibility criteria below.

Bexsero (Meningococcal B) This vaccine provides 5 years of protection against Meningococcal B and is free to those in Year 13 who are entering within the next three months tertiary education halls of residence or Military Barracks. There is also a catch up program for those already living in tertiary education halls, Boarding school hostels, Military barracks or Prisons until February 2024 for those aged 13 - 25yrs of age.

Bexsero involves two doses (First dose and then a second dose to be administered 8 weeks later)

If any parents who children do not fit the ‘Funded Criteria’ but would still like their child vaccinated then they may purchase the vaccine for a cost of $170 per Dose from Unichem Kilbirnie Pharmacy on Bay Road. We can offer the vaccine to all students Monday through to Friday till 4.30pm during the week only. At the moment no appointment is required for a vaccine.

MenQuadfi (Meningococcal A,C,W,Y) This vaccine also provides 5 years protection and is recommended for all young adults including those who do not meet eligibility criteria. This vaccine is funded for those aged 13-25 years of age who are entering within the next three months, or are in their FIRST YEAR of living in Boarding school hostels, tertiary halls of residence, Military Barracks or Prisons ONLY.

MenQuadfi involves just the one dose in total.

For those not eligible for a ‘funded’ dose’ then it can be purchased for a total cost of $150 at Unichem Kilbirnie Pharmacy. We can vaccinate all funded and purchased vaccines during the week till 4.30pmand no appointment required.

*Special note regarding MenQuadfi is that currently there is a country shortage of this vaccine however we hope to have some in stock in a weeks time. Please call Pharmacy beforehand to check we have it in stock before arriving.

HPV Gardisal 9 (Human Papillmavirus)

Recommended and funded for all adolescents aged from 9-27yrs of age. Those aged 9yrs to 14yrs inclusively are given a total of two doses (6 months apart)

Adolescents aged 15yrs-26yrs who have not yet had their first dose before turning 15 will require a total of three doses instead of only two.

This vaccine also can be administered at Unichem Kilbirnie Pharmacy during week days before 4.30pm.

Any questions please feel free to contact me anytime via email or my phone number is 0273591369. I am very happy to come out to St Catherines College and am available on the 27th November onwards of your choice.

I hope you find this helpful Katrina.

Kind Regards

Emma Duffy (Authorised Nurse Vaccinator)