Gore Medical Centre will have the vaccine available until December 31. Flu clinics will run throughout the upcoming weeks, with night clinics on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The vaccine is funded for those with chronic conditions, pregnant patients, those over 65 years of age and Māori and Pasifika over 55 years old.
Registered Nurse Keri McLelland said it was important to be proactive as flu season approaches, even if you are in good health.
"Influenza, people think of it as a runny nose, a cough, a cold.
"Obviously you’re more susceptible if you’re pregnant or you have a chronic condition, but even healthy people can be hospitalised.
"At the very worst you could get a severe infection, end up with multiple organ failure.
"It’s not just a cough cold or a sniffle. People die of it every year," she said.
Covid boosters are also available, along with two more flu vaccines apart from the government funded one, providing an extra immune response at the patient’s cost.
Mrs McLelland said the funded version still does the trick, but the other two can provide a little extra for those concerned about the flu.
"It’s like 91 and 95 fuel.
"You think of one, you’re paying for the upgrade if you need a longer stronger response, if you have a brittle chest or you’re particularly vulnerable to influenza," she said.
Mrs McLelland said the vaccine was the best way for people to protect themselves and those around them from the flu every year, as transmission and severity were reduced.
"No vaccine is perfect, but usually if you have the flu shot you won’t catch the flu, and if you did, it would be significantly less severe since you have that protection.
"It can also protect vulnerable people in our life, our elderly and babies, as you’re stopping or reducing transmission around the community," she said.
Mrs McLelland said the flu did not discriminate, and so it was important for all to make the right decision for their health.
"The flu vaccine can be administered from 6 months of age, so we encourage children to get it, too.
"[The flu vaccine is] a really safe vaccine, it’s well tolerated," she said.
