Ground floor, Ilam Health Building, 110 Memorial Avenue, Burnside, Christchurch : Ph 03 351 6198 :
We have clinics open for bookings from Wednesday 1st April, 2026. Please call reception to make an appointment, or book through your online Portal account.
We will be running our annual drop-in influenza vaccination clinic for those aged ≥ 65 years on Saturday 11th April, 2026. People in this age group will receive notification about this closer to the time. Note: Both the Standard Health NZ funded Flu Vaccine & the Advanced Fluad Vaccine will be available at this clinic
Influenza is a common viral infection that affects people of all ages. While it may be a mild disease for some, it can also cause serious illness and even lead to hospitalisation in otherwise healthy people. Vaccination reduces the spread of illness to the most vulnerable in our communities.
The influenza vaccine is recommended and funded for people who meet the eligibility criteria, as set by PHARMAC. Note, this is the same as last year and includes:
– Pregnant people
– People aged 65 years and older
– People aged 6 months to under 65 years with eligible conditions*
– People aged 6 months to under 65 years with serious mental health and addiction conditions*
– Tamariki aged 4 years or under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness (including measles) or have a history of significant respiratory illness.
*For more details on eligibility, please refer to Influenza vaccine – Immunisation Advisory Centre (immune.org.nz)
*Tamariki aged 6 months to under 3 years who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time should receive two doses, at least 4 weeks apart.
**Flucelvax is available for purchase for those aged 6 months to 50 years. This vaccine is manufactured using cell-based technology (as opposed to traditional egg-based technology) and is considered to be up to 15% more effective than other vaccines.
***Fluad is available for purchase for those aged ≥ 50 years. As we age, our immune system becomes less effective. This vaccine is designed to promote a stronger immune response, and so is potentially more effective for people in this age group. We have limited stock, so please let reception know when making your booking if you wish to purchase this vaccine and we can put one aside for you, or order one in.
It is safe to have the Influenza vaccination at the same time as all COVID-19 vaccinations. Note; If you have tested positive for Covid in the last 6 months you should not have be vaccinated with the Covid Vaccine.
If you have had COVID-19, and are no longer isolating, there is no stand-down period required before having your influenza vaccination.
For more information, please refer to the following website:
https://immune.org.nz/factsheets/influenza-cell-based-vaccines
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From 1 February 2026, the maximum amount of medicine that can be supplied on one prescription is changed from 3 months to 12 months.
It’s important to remember that even if you get a 12-month prescription, this doesn’t mean you won’t need to see your GP. Having regular check-ups are still important to make sure your treatment is safe and working well.
If you have a long-term health condition, and your condition is stable, meaning your symptoms are under control and your treatment is working well, your healthcare provider may decide it’s safe and appropriate for your medicine to be prescribed for 6 -12 months.
If your condition isn’t stable and your treatment may need to change, you won’t get a 12-month prescription as your GP needs to review and adjust your treatment safely.
Ultimately, your GP will make the final decision about whether a 12 month prescription is appropriate for you.
These prescriptions will not be issued for 12 months
Collecting Scripts from the Pharmacy
You will not be able to get a 12-month supply all at once. If you have a prescription for 12 months of medicine, you can collect a 3-month supply of medicine from your pharmacy every 3 months.
Special Authorities
Some Special Authorities are valid for your lifetime, but others are only valid for a limited time. When your Special Authority expires, your prescriber will need to apply to renew the Special Authority.
For 12-month prescriptions, your Special Authority may expire before the prescription does. If this happens, you will need your prescriber to renew the Special Authority before you can receive further funded repeats.
For more information
Please refer to the Royal New Zealand General Practitioners statement on 12 months prescriptions here: https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/documents/657/12-month-prescribing-position-statement-NOV-2025.pdf
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A new national framework for the diagnosis and treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand was announced by Te Whatu Ora in July 2025. Changes came into effect from February 2026. This is a change to the old system where GPs and Nurse Practitioners could only prescribe ADHD stimulant medicines to patients on a written recommendation from a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, or after someone has already been diagnosed with ADHD and given a first prescription. From 1st February 2026, General Practitioners & Nurse Practitioners with additional training are able to diagnose ADHD. Also, effective from 1st February 2026, General Practitioners & Nurse practitioners are able to prescribe ADHD medication if a diagnosis has been made by another provider.
Unfortunately, media coverage and public discussions have led to confusion regarding these changes. Some people have interpreted the announcement to mean that a quick assessment and stimulant medication prescription is automatically available from their regular GP. This is not correct as GPs & Nurse practitioners require additional training to be able to provide this service. Also, this service would require a minimum of a 90 minute consult and an additional follow up appointment as well as extra paperwork time for the provider which creates a significant increased workload for GPs who are already under considerable pressure.
Currently, Ilam Medical Centre do not provide ADHD assessments and we do not have any providers undertaking additional training at this stage.
We will continue to provide patients with information and referrals to external providers of these services.
If you have a diagnosis of ADHD, your regular GP may prescribe medication if this is appropriate after consultation with yourself.
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We have clinics open for bookings from Tuesday 1st April, 2025. Please call reception to make an appointment, or book through your online Portal account.
We will be running our annual drop-in influenza vaccination clinic for those aged ≥ 65 years on Saturday 5th April, 2024. People in this age group will receive notification about this closer to the time. Note: We will only be providing the funded influenza vaccine at this clinic.
*Tamariki aged 6 months to under 9 years who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time should receive two doses, at least 4 weeks apart.
**Flucelvax Quad is available for purchase for those aged 6 months to 64 years. This vaccine is manufactured using cell-based technology (as opposed to traditional egg-based technology) and is considered to be up to 15% more effective than other vaccines.
***Fluad Quad is available for purchase for those aged ≥ 65 years. As we age, our immune system becomes less effective. This vaccine is designed to promote a stronger immune response, and so is potentially more effective for people in this age group. We have limited stock, so please let reception know when making your booking if you wish to purchase this vaccine and we can put one aside for you, or order one in.
It is safe to have the Influenza vaccination at the same time as all COVID-19 vaccinations, however Novovax contains adjuvants to boost the immune response, so please let the nurse know if you have recently had a Novuvax Covid vaccination (Note: this is not the standard covid vaccination). Please refer to the listed websites for information, or call to discuss any concerns or queries with a nurse before booking your appointment.
Influenza_2024_Flu kit – Factsheets – Immunisation Advisory Centre (immune.org.nz)
We are delighted to welcome Dr Vinny Karunasekera back to our team.
Vinny has previously worked here while he was completing his GP Registrar training under Dr Brett Mann.
Vinny has joined the partnership team and has taken over the management of Dr Brett Mann’s patients.
Here is a message from Vinny:
Kia Ora My name is Dr Vinny Karunasekera. I am honoured to be taking over Dr Brett Mann’s practice, and to be joining Ilam Medical Centre as the newest partner. I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce myself.
I grew up a stones throw away from the practice itself, on Hamilton Avenue. I have biked past the medical centre countless times on the way to school or Jellie Park. Little did I know back then, that I would later become a partner of Ilam Medical. I come from a medical family. My mother is a local GP and my wife is currently completing her specialist training in General Practice. GP, in many ways, is ingrained in me. I studied at Otago University and did my medical placements in Christchurch. I also have a post graduate Diploma of Child Health. Since graduating, I have worked at multiple GP practices across Christchurch. This has given me a unique understanding of the health care needs of different populations across Canterbury. I have also previously worked at Ilam Medical in 2023, and had the privilege of meeting many of you then.
I have been fortunate to be trained by Brett. He has been one of the most influential people of my career and it is clear that we share the same passion for General Practice in its purest sense. It is undoubtedly sad to see Brett retire from clinical practice. Brett has been integral to the health and wellbeing of families across multiple generations. Countless medical professionals have also benefited from Brett’s teachings on communication and somatisation. He will be sorely missed by patients, students and colleagues alike.
The future of health care has many uncertainties. Because of this, I am committed to establishing myself as a leader within our community, and I aspire to be a strong pillar for my patients and colleagues for generations to come. I look forward to forming a unique and long-term relationship with you. Yours sincerely
Dr Vinny Karunasekera
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We are very sad to see Dr Brett Mann leave our team but wish him all the best for the next chapter in his life. Brett has made a positive impact on many many patients lives over his 39 year career. His last day was 30th January 25. He will be greatly missed by both our staff and his patients alike.
Here is a message from Brett.
I am retiring from my role as a General Practitioner and partner at Ilam Medical Centre. After thirty-nine fulfilling years, I have many special memories and greatly value my time working at Ilam.
I am very pleased to hand my practice over to Dr. Vinny Karunasekera. Vinny is one of the best registrars I have taught over the last seventeen years. Some of you met him when he was a registrar for six months in 2023 and will attest to his very pleasant, easy manner, excellent communication and biomedical skills. Other practices are very keen to have him, but we are delighted he is coming back to Ilam Medical Centre, and I have great confidence patients will be very well-served by ‘Dr. Vinny’.
Ceasing clinical work will be a big life-change but I will continue providing medical education and supervision to registrars and other professionals.
Yours sincerely
Brett Mann
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We are now offering Covid-19 Vaccinations at the Ilam Medical Centre.
If you meet the below criteria, and it has been at least 6months since your last covid-19 vaccination, and it has been at least 6 months since you last had the Covid-19 virus, then please call reception to book a nurse appointment for your vaccination.
Criteria
30 years and older, 6 monthly
** 16 years and older (only as a single booster)
** 12 years and older available if at risk of severe illness – Please discuss this with your GP before booking.
Covid-19 Cominarty Vaccination:
Coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Like other coronaviruses, it has characteristic crown-like protein spikes on the surface which it uses to infect the cells in our airways. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, provides your body with the instructions to make the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The spike protein is presented to the cells in the lymph nodes and induces a strong immune response.
Covid-19 continues to circulate widely internationally and to evolve rapidly with continuous changes to the spike protein. Because of this we need to maximise vaccine effectiveness by using variant-matched vaccines, similar to the way we do for influenza vaccines. Omicron is the only variant currently circulating globally and previous variants such as Delta and the original strain have largely disappeared. Numerous sub-lineages of Omicron have caused global waves of infection. Therefore, as of 7th March 2024, there is a new Cominarty Vaccine (Omicron 30mcg XXB.1.5), which offers better protection against the current strains of Covid-19.
Booster/Additional Dose Schedule:
Although protection against reinfection with Omicron variants wanes within months of booster doses, protection remains against severe disease. It is not yet certain how long the protection from COVID-19 vaccines and infection lasts. For most, it appears that protection against severe disease extends beyond six months as immune memory develops. So, having a dose earlier than 6months has limited benefit. Having a longer interval between doses also reduces the incidence of adverse events, including the rate of myocarditis and pericarditis following mRNA vaccines. Therefore, additional/Booster doses should be given at least six months after previous COVID-19 vaccination or COVID-19 infection.
A single booster dose is recommended for individuals aged 16 years and over, after completing the primary course.
Additional doses of Comirnaty 30mcg XBB.1.5 continue to be recommended from six months after last COVID-19 vaccination for those aged 12 and over who are eligible because of a higher risk of severe infection.
Additional doses continue to be available for healthy people aged 30 and over.
For more information on eligibility for additional/booster doses, please refer to the following website:
Comirnaty 30mcg XBB.1.5 – Immunisation Advisory Centre (immune.org.nz)
Safety Information:
All National Immunisation Schedule vaccines can be given at the same time as the Comirnaty 30mcg XBB.1.5 vaccine, preferably in a different limb. Influenza vaccination is also highly recommended for eligible groups and can be given at the same time as all COVID-19 vaccines.
This vaccine is safe to be given at any stage of pregnancy, and is Latex-free.
Common responses to this vaccine include: Pain at injection site, Headache, Fatigue, Muscle aches, Chills, Fever, Joint aches, Nausea.
Rare responses include: Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), Myocarditis, Pericarditis.
COVID-19 and the Influenza Vaccination
If you have any questions that are not answered above, please give us a call to speak with one of our friendly nurses.
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We no longer require patients to wear masks in the practice.
Patients will still be screened for respiratory symptoms. Anyone experiencing a cough, runny nose, sneezing or Flu symptoms will be asked to wait in the carpark.
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