Nikki Turner
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 1 October 2025
In today's episode, the government has announced its plan in response to the challenges facing the energy market; The Ministry of Health's flu tracker shows the number New Zealanders reporting both… Audio
Could a nasal vaccine help ease the burden of the flu?
The Ministry of Health's flu tracker shows the number New Zealanders reporting both fever and cough symptoms is currently higher than at the same time in the last four years. So could a nasal spray… Audio
Fewer people getting Covid boosters
As the Covid pandemic recedes into distant memory, fewer and fewer people are bothering to get boosters. Ruth Hill reports. Audio
Measles is coming to NZ, and experts are worried
A measles outbreak in the US has already killed three. Just how worried should New Zealanders be? Audio
The whooping cough epidemic
A whooping cough epidemic has been declared in Aotearoa. In the past four weeks, there have been 263 cases of whooping cough (Pertussis) - the highest number of cases over a month this year… Audio
78% of children fully immmunised at 2 years old
The Health Minister is looking to boost the number of vaccinators to help turn around tanking childhood immunisation rates.Right now, just about 78 percent of all children are fully immunised at 2… Audio
JN1 now the dominant strain of fifth wave of Covid
Data from ESR shows that the country is still gripped in our fifth wave of coronavirus infections, and the dominant strain is called J N 1. This latest mutated variant of Omicron is now responsible… Audio
Covid hospitalisations expected to peak this week
New modelling suggests hospitalisations from the country's latest Covid-19 wave will peak this week. There have been 7,417 new cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand last week with a further 27… Audio
Immunisation experts concerned at low uptake of Omicron booster
There's a distinct 'lack of urgency' to get the latest covid booster - and experts say that needs to change.
The updated Omicron-targeted vaccine has been available for those over 30 years old since… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Regular childhood immunisations faltering
Health authorities are ramping up efforts to boost the country's faltering childhood immunisation programme.
Rates have been on the decline since 2017 and have taken a further hit during the… Audio
Ongoing booster shots for healthy unlikely - Dr Nikki Turner
Immunisation Advisory Centre director Dr Nikki Turner joins Checkpoint to discuss why booster shots were brought forward from four to three months after a second dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine.
… Video, Audio
Growing worry over Covid disruption to schooling
Paediatricians are concerned about the impact of any more disruptions to schooling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
University of Otago epidemiologist Amanda Kvalsvig has called for a delayed… Audio
Covid-19: Expert on jabs for kids approval
Parents and caregivers will soon get the opportunity to have their five-to-11-year-olds vaccinated against Covid-19.
Medsafe has granted provisional approval for the vaccine for children in this age… Audio
Covid-19: Expert on Pfizer vaccine and Omicron
Early lab studies suggest two doses of the Pfizer vaccine might not be enough for your body to fight off Omicron, but three doses could do the trick.
Three doses provide a similar level of antibodies… Audio
NZ doing 'incredibly well' with vaccination rates - top immunologist
The 90 percent double vaccination target set by the government has turned more than a few people into amateur statistician, counting every jab, daily averages, downward trends and overdue second… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Calls for all Spanish Pfizer haul to go to Auckland
People on the vaccination frontline in Auckland want all 250,000 of the government's bonus Pfizer doses to come to the city.
The extra doses from Spain have brought in to tide the country through… Audio
Research confirms one dose of vaccine reduces hospitalisation rate
New research confirms when vaccines are limited it's better to immunise as many as possible with one dose - rather than two. Director general of health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield told Morning Report… Audio
Parents keen to get teens vaxxed as cases found at schools
12-to-15-year-olds are now able to go along with their parents to get the Pfizer vaccine. While they won't be able to secure an appointment until the first of next month, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern… Audio
Covid-19: Younger teens offered vaccine
Cabinet has agreed to make the Pfizer vaccine available for 12-15 year olds from 1 September.
This after Medsafe - following the lead of many of its overseas counterparts - gave a provisional… Audio
Covid-19: Expert on the pros and cons of the Janssen vaccine
The single-jab Janssen Covid-19 vaccine has received provisional approval from the medicines regulator Medsafe.
The Government says the approval won't change the national roll out of the Pfizer… Audio
