Boosters provide an extra layer of protection to your previous vaccination and keep your immunity stronger for longer.
COVID-19 booster eligibility expansion
From 1 May, eligibility for an additional COVID-19 booster will be extended to all pregnant people aged 16 to 29 years, to align with the flu age group criteria set by Pharmac.
Update – 18 November 2022
Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 and over can now get a second booster.
Protection for the primary course of the vaccine decreases over time. Staying up to date with your vaccinations keeps your immunity levels high. This will lower your chances of getting very sick from COVID-19 and ending up in hospital.
First boosters
You can get a first booster if you:
- are aged 16 or over
- have completed your primary course of the vaccine (for most people, this is 2 doses).
If you are aged 16 or 17, you can get a Pfizer booster 6 months after your last dose.
If you are 18 or over, you can get a Pfizer booster 3 months after your last dose, or a Novavax booster 6 months after your last dose.
Second boosters
You can get a second booster if you are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
This includes:
- everyone aged 50 and over
- Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 and over
- healthcare, aged care and disability workers aged 30 and over
- residents of aged care and disability care facilities
- severely immunocompromised people who received a 3-dose primary course and a fourth dose as a first booster (this would be a fifth dose for these people)
- people aged 16 and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities
- people aged 16 and over with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness.
If you are eligible, you can get your second booster 6 months after your first booster.
Clinical criteria in support of second booster eligibility | Ministry of Health
People under 50 do not yet need a second booster, if you are generally healthy and do not have underlying health conditions. This includes people who are currently healthy and pregnant. If a second booster is recommended for you and you are pregnant, this is due at least 6 months after your previous dose.
If you are not considered at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, a 2-dose primary course and a booster dose provides very good protection against severe illness from COVID-19.
People under the age of 16 are not eligible for a booster. However, you can discuss specific clinical circumstances with your GP or healthcare provider.
As with all medicines, vaccines can be used outside of Medsafe approval (this is called 'off label') if they are prescribed by an authorised prescriber. Your doctor can decide whether to provide a prescription after a conversation about the benefits and risks.
Book online
It is free, fast and easy to book or change your appointments using the website Book My Vaccine.
Before you book, check the appointment availability map. It can show you where vaccination sites are, how soon you can get an appointment, and which vaccine types are available.
Appointment availability map | bookmyvaccine.health.nz
If you need help
If you have problems booking or need to change your details, email booking@vaccine.covid19.health.nz
Book over the phone
The COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline is available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.
Call: 0800 28 29 26
Having COVID-19 does not provide the same level of immunity as getting vaccinated.
If you have had COVID-19 and are eligible for a booster, you can get it 3 months after you tested positive.
You can check the date of your last vaccination in My Covid Record.
To find out over the phone, call the COVID Vaccination Healthline. You can call between 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
Call: 0800 28 29 26
When you get a booster it is added to My Covid Record. You can then download another International Travel Vaccination Certificate or vaccination record.