The Health Minister says New Zealand is now effectively at war with Covid-19 - and one of the lines of defence, is an early launch of this year's flu vaccination campaign.
While it won't protect against Covid-19, it will help ease pressure on the health system over winter.
It comes as the government launches a public health campaign, with a war-time ring to it - Unite Against Covid-19.
But it seems some on the front-line are still waiting for their ammunition, with one medical centre telling patients they won't have the flu vaccines until next month.
Political reporter Yvette McCullough has the story.
