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Meningococcal Vaccination

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that can progress rapidly. Even if people survive, they may experience long-term and severe consequences such as limb amputation, hearing loss, seizures, brain inflammation, lung infection and permanent skin disfigurement.


Meningococcal vaccines protect against the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease.


Book your appointment at a time and place that's convenient for you. Many of our pharmacies are open seven days a week, including some evenings.

What is Meningococcal disease ?


Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection which present similarly to other flu-like illnesses with approximately 80% of cases presenting with a rash that does not blanch (become pale/go white) when pressed. In New Zealand, the infection is mostly caused by the groups A,B,C,W,Y progressing to meningitis and septicaemia in severe cases. The bacteria is transmitted from person to person by saliva, e.g kissing and can lead to severe complications.


Why should I get Meningococcal Vaccination ?


Meningitis causes inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord and septicaemia is the poisoning of the blood which can lead to the loss of limbs. It is very common in children under the age of 5, teenagers and young adults, especially those that are living in close living accommodations.


How to get Meningococcal Vaccination ?

Pharmacy now offers funded vaccines against meningococcal disease for those that are eligible, this includes those that are at high-risk of catching the disease (young adults living in close living situations, e.g halls of residence).


There are two vaccines available to cover majority of serogroups that currently present in New Zealand:


1. Bexsero (Meningococcal B Vaccine) protects against the B serogroup

2. MenQuadfi (Meningococcal ACWY) which protects against the ACWY serogroups.


Both are recommend being given at the same time for the best coverage against Meningococcal disease.

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Unichem All Seasons Pharmacy

288 Te Atatu Road, Te Atatu South, AUCKLAND 0652

(09) 834 3067

Unichem Broadway Pharmacy

197 Broadway, Newmarket, AUCKLAND 1023

(09) 524 7719

Unichem Buchanans Pharmacy

Paramount Plaza, 81 Paramount Parade, Tikipunga, WHANGAREI 0112

(09) 435 3323

Unichem Cashel Pharmacy

111 Cashel Street, Christchurch, CANTERBURY 8011

(03) 595 1289

Unichem Beerescourt Pharmacy

1365 Victoria Street, Beerescourt, Hamilton, WAIKATO 3240

(07) 838 2319

Unichem Brookfield Pharmacy

85 Bellevue Road, Tauranga, BAY OF PLENTY 3146

(07) 576 5132

Unichem Cambridge Pharmacy

52 Victoria Street, Cambridge, WAIKATO 3434

(07) 823 0700

Unichem Central Pharmacy Rotorua

1181 Amohia Street, Rotorua, BAY OF PLENTY 3010

(07) 348 6028

Unichem Bishopdale Pharmacy

37 Bishopdale Court, Christchurch, CANTERBURY 8543

(03) 359 8302

Unichem Browns Bay Pharmacy

66 Clyde Road, North Shore, AUCKLAND 0630

(09) 478 7069

Unichem Campus Pharmacy

Level 1, Student Commons, 9 Symonds Street, Auckland CBD, AUCKLAND 1010

(09) 377 1991

Unichem Chadwick Pharmacy

120 Chadwick Road, Tauranga, BAY OF PLENTY 3112

(07) 578 5409

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