Tamariki aged 6 months to 4 years who are immunocompromised or have multiple or complex health conditions are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

From 9 February a version of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available for children aged 6 months to 4 years who are at higher risk of severe disease if they were to get COVID-19.

MHC will not be offering this vaccine, if your child is eligible, you will be able to book a vaccine by:

• calling Healthline on 0800 28 29 26
• visiting nz(external link).

Eligibility criteria for young children

The vaccine is available for children aged from 6 months to 4 years who have the following health conditions:

• chronic lung disease
• serious heart conditions such as congestive heart failure or congenital
• heart disease
• diabetes
• chronic kidney disease
• chronic neurological or neuromuscular disease such as cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• a weakened immune system or are on an immunosuppressive
• treatment such as chemotherapy
• severe haematological disorders
• a transplant in the last 24 months.

Children who are not in any of the high-risk categories are not eligible for the vaccine as they have a low likelihood of severe illness from COVID-19.

MHC continues to offer all nursing services including cervical smears and immunisations.  If your child is due for their immunisations, please phone reception to book an appointment. We ask that only one adult accompanies your child to the practice and no siblings if this is at all possible.

MMH is a patient portal which allows you access to your own private health information securely.

You can also book appointments and request prescriptions on line.

To register and receive your own private password for access to your own notes, contact reception on 4665011.

MHC also provides MMH access for children under 16 years.  Parental authority, and patient consent is required (if able), with the expectation that the password and access be changed to patient only access once they reach 16 years.

15 people each day lose the fight against heart disease.  Many of these deaths are preventable.  MHC offer free healthy heart checks to all eligible patients:

• Maori, Pacific or Indo-Asian people: men from 35 years, women from 45 years
• All ethnicities: men from 45 years and women from 55 years

If you are unsure when you should have a healthy heart check, ask your GP or nurse today.