Alexandra Family Medical

08/04/2026

Flu & COVID Vaccines Available – Just Pop In

Winter is on its way, and it’s a great time to protect yourself and your whānau 💛

We now have both flu and COVID vaccinations available, and there’s no need to book — simply walk in when it suits you.

Flu vaccine (funded):
• Age 65 and over
• Also funded for many people with chronic conditions (see picture)

COVID vaccine (funded):
• From age 30
• If it’s been more than 6 months since your last vaccine or COVID infection

A quick visit can make a real difference this winter — for you and those around you.

We’d love to see you 😊

31/03/2026

Flu Drive-Through Clinic – This Afternoon 🚗💉

A friendly reminder that our flu vaccination drive-through clinic is on today from 1:00–3:00 pm.

If you’re aged 65+ or have an eligible chronic condition, come along—no appointment needed, just drive through.

Quick, easy, and a great step to stay well this winter.

29/03/2026

🚗💉 Drive-Through Flu & COVID Vaccination Clinic – This Wednesday

We’re making it easy to stay protected this winter.

This Wednesday 1 April, we’re hosting our annual drive-through flu & COVID vaccination clinic for patients eligible for funded vaccines:
• Aged 65 years and over
• Or with a chronic health condition

🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Riverside car park (behind The Warehouse)

No appointment needed — simply drive through.

👉 To keep things running smoothly:
• Please approach via Rivers Street (not Tarbert Street)
• Wear short sleeves for quick access
• Exit via Tarbert Street

💉 COVID vaccine update available if:
• It has been 6 months since your last vaccine, and
• 6 months since a COVID infection

⏱ After your vaccination, you’ll be asked to wait 5–15 minutes for monitoring.

Can’t make Wednesday?
From Tuesday 7 April, we’ll offer walk-in flu & COVID vaccinations at the practice — no booking required.

15/03/2026

🚗 Drive-Through Flu Vaccine Clinic – 1 April 🚗

It’s that time of the year again! We will be running our annual drive-through flu vaccination clinic on Wednesday 1 April (no April Fool!) from 1–3 pm.

This clinic is for:
• Patients aged 65 years and over
• Patients with a chronic health condition who are eligible for the funded flu vaccine

You will be able to stay in your car while receiving your vaccine, making the process quick and convenient.

📩 Invitations will be sent out soon with further details.

Patients will also have the option to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as their flu vaccination.

🚗 We look forward to seeing you there and helping keep our community protected for the winter season. 🚗

Send a message to learn more

12/03/2026

Meningococcal Disease in Dunedin

Health New Zealand has confirmed two recent cases of meningococcal disease in Dunedin. One case is Meningococcal B, the other is still being typed. Close contacts have been treated and the overall risk to the community remains low.

It is still important to recognise symptoms early, which may include:
• fever
• severe headache
• neck stiffness
• vomiting
• sensitivity to light
• rash or feeling very unwell

Meningococcal disease can become serious quickly, so seek urgent medical care if these symptoms occur.

Vaccination reminder:
In New Zealand, Meningococcal B and ACWY vaccines are fully funded for residents aged 13–25 years entering college or university accommodation (hostels/halls of residence).

If you have questions about vaccination, please contact our clinic.

11/03/2026

Important update for Health365 patient portal users

From Thursday 12 March, an extra security step will be introduced when logging into the Health365 patient portal.

When you enter your password, a verification code will be sent to your email address. You will simply need to copy this code from your email and enter it on the Health365 login screen to complete the sign-in.

This additional step is called multi-factor authentication (MFA) and helps keep your health information secure.

Please make sure you have access to the email address linked to your Health365 account when logging in.

If you have any issues accessing your portal, please contact our reception team and we’ll be happy to help.

Send a message to learn more

08/03/2026

Today is International Women’s Day 🌸

Every day in general practice we see the quiet strength of women — caring for families, supporting friends, building communities, and often putting others before themselves. Today is a moment to recognise that strength and to celebrate the women who make our communities healthier, kinder, and stronger.

To all the women who care for others: remember that your own health matters too. Taking time to look after yourself is not selfish — it is essential.

Thank you for the resilience, compassion, and leadership you bring to the world every day.

Happy International Women’s Day 💜

01/03/2026

Breast Screening Bus in Clyde

The BreastScreen mobile unit will be in Clyde from the end of this week and will remain for approximately three months.

If you have recently turned 45 and have not yet had your screening mammogram, this is a convenient opportunity to book.

Regular breast screening is important for early detection, even if you have no symptoms.

To make an appointment, please contact the BreastScreen service directly on:

📞 0800 270 200

If you are unsure whether you are due, you can also contact this number and they can guide you.

Early detection matters.

25/02/2026

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Available from Monday 2 March

From Monday 2 March, an updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available at our practice.

This vaccine has been reformulated to match the COVID-19 variants currently circulating in New Zealand.

Who is it recommended for?
• Everyone aged 30 years and over
• Adults under 30 years who are immunocompromised

If you are unsure whether this applies to you, our team can advise.

How to get vaccinated
• Walk in on weekdays between 9:00am and 4:30pm
• No appointment required

After your vaccine
• Standard observation time is 15 minutes
• If you are accompanied by another adult, this may be reduced to 5 minutes
• However, you must not operate a motor vehicle for 15 minutes after vaccination

Send a message to learn more

11/02/2026

We’re offering another FREE Skin Spot Check 🩺☀️

If you have 2–3 spots you’re unsure about, this is a great opportunity to have them assessed by accredited skin cancer doctors Dr Joost Breuk and Dr Elvira de Jong.

📅 Thursday 26 February (lunchtime appointments)
📞 Book your spot: 03 901 6277

Early detection makes a real difference.

We are accredited skin cancer doctors, and removal of most skin cancers is performed at no cost to the patient.

Don’t ignore a changing or concerning spot — get it checked.

04/02/2026

Meningococcal vaccination reminder for students in shared accommodation

If you (or your child) have recently started boarding school, a hostel, or a tertiary education hall of residence, this is an important reminder about meningococcal vaccinations.

Students entering their first year of close-living accommodation are eligible for funded meningococcal vaccines:

• Bexsero (MenB)
– Recommended even if MeNZB was given in childhood
– 2-dose course, usually 8 weeks apart (can be shortened to 4 weeks if needed)

• MenQuadfi (ACWY)
– Single dose

These two vaccines can be given at the same appointment, using different injection sites.

Who is eligible for funded vaccination?
Funded meningococcal vaccines are available for 13–25 year olds (inclusive) who:

Are entering close-living situations within the next 3 months, or

Are in their first year of living in:

* Boarding school hostels

* Tertiary education halls of residence

01/02/2026

Adult ADHD assessments – update

GPs in NZ can now diagnose ADHD in adults and initiate medication. Not all practices will be offering this service.

From March, Dr Joost Breuk and Dr Elvira de Jong will be providing adult ADHD assessments.

What to expect:
• Comprehensive initial assessment
• Medication started when appropriate
• Follow-up appointments to optimise treatment

Important to know:
• Available only to patients enrolled with Altimus Health - Dr Joost Breuk and Dr Elvira de Jong
• No government funding – private consultation fees apply
• Appointments are longer than the standard 15-minute consult
• Booking details will be shared soon, so there’s no need to contact reception just yet

More information to come.