The first shipment of this year's flu vaccine has arrived and is being sent out to family doctors.
The annual flu immunisation campaign is beginning a few weeks later than usual because of a global delay in vaccine production.
This was to enable two new flu strains to be included in this season's southern hemisphere vaccine, to provide greater protection from flu.
The Health Ministry says the first shipment, containing more than half a million doses, is now being distributed.
It says doctors will be busy in the next two months, before the expected increase in flu in June.
The Ministry has asked GPs to give the vaccine first to those with serious health conditions, and pregnant women.