Get accurate and reliable advice about COVID-19 vaccination, including vaccination for children and people who are pregnant, and information about the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines
Benefits of vaccinating tamariki
How COVID-19 can affect children
COVID-19 generally has mild effects in children and is rarely severe or fatal. Children and young people who have COVID-19 will commonly have no symptoms or only mild respiratory symptoms, similar to a cold. However, some can become very sick and need to go to hospital.
Rare complications can include Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C), which may require intensive care. This age group can also suffer long-term side effects (known as long COVID), even after mild cases of COVID-19.
Children receive a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine
Tamariki aged 5 to 11 receive a children’s (paediatric) version of the Pfizer vaccine, with a lower dose and smaller volume. It is also given using a smaller needle. The lower dose was chosen based on a trial that showed the lower dose was safe and had few side effects in this age group.
Children are not eligible for a booster or the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Children need 2 doses at least 8 weeks apart
To be fully protected, children need 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. It is recommended the first and second dose are at least 8 weeks apart.
The interval can be shortened to a minimum of 21 days if needed — for example, if the child is starting significant immunosuppression treatment. You will need to discuss this with the child's doctor.
If children and young people who have been vaccinated do develop COVID-19, they are far less likely to fall seriously ill and less likely to transmit the virus to others.
For children aged 5 to 11, clinical trial results showed the Pfizer vaccine was 90.7% effective against getting COVID-19 symptoms, and no participants developed severe COVID-19.
Medsafe is responsible for approving the use of all medicines and vaccines in New Zealand. They only approve a vaccine in Aotearoa once they are satisfied it has met strict standards for safety, efficacy and quality.
The trials in 5 to 11-year-olds with a child dose of the Pfizer showed the vaccine was safe, and the side effects were generally mild.
COVID-19 vaccines used in New Zealand
Research and data on vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 | Ministry of Health
Before their appointment
Explain that it might hurt for a short time, just like their other childhood immunisations. Tell them there will be a small needle and that they will feel a sharp scratch or sting briefly but then it will be over. They may have a sore arm, fever, headache or feel tired afterwards.
It is important to tell them why they are getting vaccinated. Let them know the vaccine will protect them against COVID-19, and protect their family, their grandparents, their community, and other kids at school who may be more at risk from COVID-19 if they catch it.
Make sure they know they will need 2 doses.
On the day
Give them time to ask the vaccinator questions if they have them. Have some games or toys ready so you can distract them during their vaccination and entertain them while you wait for 15 minutes afterwards.
Arrange a fun activity or treat to look forward to after the appointment.
Afterwards
Tell them that they might feel a bit unwell or a day or two, and arrange to spend some extra time with them if you can.
Explaining the vaccine to tamariki
There are many places around New Zealand that offer vaccinations for tamariki. Book online or over the phone, or visit a walk-in or drive-through vaccination centre.
Book online
Check the appointment availability map first — it shows you where vaccination sites are, and how soon you can get an appointment. You can choose the child vaccine (5 to 11) or adult vaccine (12+) from the dropdown menu.
Appointment availability map | Book My Vaccine
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
It is free to book over the phone, and the team is available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.
It is a good idea to have your child's NHI (National Health Index) number ready. This will make the booking process quicker.
Walk in or drive-through vaccination centres
There are many places around New Zealand where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment.
Not all COVID-19 vaccination sites will be offering vaccinations to 5 to 11-year-olds.
Pfizer is the preferred COVID-19 vaccine for use in New Zealand. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is also available for people aged 18 and over.
The main COVID-19 vaccine we are using in New Zealand is made by Pfizer-BioNTech. It is also known by its brand name, Comirnaty.
It is an mRNA-based (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine.
You need 2 doses. The standard gap between doses is 3 weeks or more.
For children aged 5 to 11, the recommended gap between doses is 8 weeks or more.
You should not get the Pfizer vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to this vaccine or its ingredients.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is no longer available in New Zealand.
The Novavax (Nuvaxovid) COVID-19 vaccine is available for anyone aged 18 years and over who wants a different COVID-19 vaccine option.
It is a protein-based vaccine.
You need 2 doses. The standard gap between doses is 3 weeks.
Novavax is available as a booster at least 6 months after completing the primary course of any COVID-19 vaccine used in New Zealand.
Medsafe is New Zealand’s medicines safety authority. It checks applications for all new medicines, including vaccines, to make sure they meet international standards and local requirements.
It will only recommend approving a medicine for use in New Zealand if it meets these standards.
As with all medicines, you might experience some mild side effects when you get a COVID-19 vaccination. This is common, and a sign that your body is learning to fight the virus.
How to have a positive and respectful conversation when someone you care about has fears or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Conversation pointers
It can be tricky to know what to do or say when someone you care about expresses fears or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccination. Here are a few pointers about how to have the conversation in a positive and respectful way.
This section has information about COVID-19 vaccination for disabled people.
Vaccinations for children and young people
Everyone in New Zealand aged 5 and over can get a free COVID-19 vaccine now. Children and young people with disabilities can get vaccinated at some accessible sites with their whānau.
Learn more about vaccinations for children
Booster doses
If you are aged 18 and over, and it has been 3 months since your last dose, you can book your booster now.
Young people aged 16 and 17 can get a free Pfizer booster 6 months after completing their primary course.
If you are worried about getting the vaccine, you can talk to a trained advisor in the Healthline disability team. The team is made up of people who have experience of a disability themselves, or who have worked with the disabled community.
They will support you, your whānau or someone you care for and answer any questions you may have about:
- accessibility arrangements and getting mobility assistance at different vaccination centres
- getting your vaccination safely
- home vaccinations
- any effects the vaccine may have on you or your medications.
The disability team is available Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm.
- Call: 0800 28 29 26 and push 2
- Free text: 8988
- Email: accessiblecovidvaccinations@whakarongorau.nz
Worker vaccination requirements
Government vaccine mandates for health and disability workers will end at 11:59pm, 26 September 2022. Some employers may still require workers to be vaccinated due to health and safety.
International travel
Travellers do not need proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand. Please check with your airline as they may still require proof of vaccination.
My Vaccine Pass
Using My Vaccine Pass is no longer a legal requirement, but some businesses, events and venues may choose to still use it. This means you may be asked to show your My Vaccine Pass. You can still receive essential care even if you do not have a My Vaccine Pass.
If you have decided you want to get the vaccine, it is easy to get vaccinated.
You can get your vaccination at:
- an accessible site
- your doctor or local pharmacy
- any other vaccination centre near you.
You can also talk to, text or email a trained advisor to discuss whether a home vaccination is right for you.
Some vaccination centres are fully accessible. Your family, whānau and support workers are also welcome to get their vaccinations with you.
Map of vaccination centres around Aotearoa New Zealand | karawhiua.nz
You can book your vaccination by:
- calling the COVID Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 and pushing '2' to speak to the disability team. The COVID Healthline is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
- using the free text option on 8988.
- emailing accessiblecovidvaccinations@whakarongorau.nz
- using Book My Vaccine. The website is accessible and can be used with a screen reader.
The disability team can also help you book an appointment for your tamariki at an accessible site.
You can take a support person with you when you get your vaccination. This can be a carer, or someone else you trust.
When you get to the vaccination site, you will need to sign in. If you need an NZSL interpreter or information in an accessible format, please ask.
When it is your time to get vaccinated, the staff will ask you whether it is okay to give you the vaccine. If you say yes, this is called consent. If you cannot give consent, someone who is allowed to make decisions for you can give consent for you.
The vaccinator may also ask you questions about how you are feeling, and what medication you take.
It is normal to feel scared or worried. Ask the vaccinator if you have any questions.
You will need to wait for 15 minutes after your vaccination. If this is hard for you, ask if you can wait somewhere else.
You can choose to get the vaccine. You can say yes or no, or ask for help making your decision.
For disabled people or people with an impairment, the journey to get vaccinated may look a little different.
Information and advice
For people with a disability or impairment:
- Read our answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine
- Read vaccine advice if you have a health condition
- Talk to your whānau or a trusted support person.
- Talk to your doctor. Your doctor is the health professional who knows you best. You might want to ask your doctor questions about the COVID-19 vaccine — for example how the vaccine may affect any health problems you have, or if there are any risks for you.
If you are supporting someone with a disability to make a decision, it can also help to read our advice on conversations about vaccination:
How to talk to friends and whānau about the COVID-19 vaccine
Learn about getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby.
You can get the Pfizer vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy.
The vaccine protects you as you are far less likely to fall seriously ill, and can also protect your baby. Evidence shows that babies can get antibodies through the placenta.
If you catch COVID-19 when you are pregnant, you are more likely to become very unwell.
There is no evidence that the vaccine is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage during pregnancy. No additional safety concerns have been raised.
The Pfizer vaccine does not contain a live virus or any ingredients that are harmful to pregnant people or their babies.
Research and data about pregnancy and vaccination | health.govt.nz
Novavax vaccine
There is insufficient data on the use of Novavax in pregnant people, so Pfizer remains the preferred choice of vaccine for this group.
Boosters
It is recommended that pregnant people receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine to help protect them and their baby against the effects of COVID-19. The booster vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy.
If you are 18 or over, you can get your booster at least 3 months after your primary course (for most people, this is 2 doses). If you are 16 or 17, you can get a Pfizer booster at least 6 months after completing your primary course.
You should discuss the timing of your booster with your midwife, obstetrician or doctor.
Videos
If you are breastfeeding, you can get the Pfizer vaccine at any time.
Studies show there are no additional safety concerns or issues with continuing to breastfeed after vaccination.
If you are vaccinated against COVID-19, there is evidence that you can provide extra protection for your baby through antibodies in your breastmilk.
Research and data about breastfeeding and vaccination | health.govt.nz
If you are planning to get pregnant, you can get the Pfizer vaccine at any time. It will not affect your genes or fertility.
Information about getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you have an underlying health condition or are taking medication.
If you have an underlying health condition, it is safe for you to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
Participants in the clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccines had a range of different ethnicities, ages, sexes and underlying health conditions.
We encourage you to get the vaccination if you have:
- serious respiratory disease, including chronic lung disease and severe asthma
- a serious heart condition
- immunocompromised conditions
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- diabetes
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease
- stroke
- cancer.
If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor.
If you are immunocompromised, you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
You can get the COVID-19 vaccine when receiving medication or therapy that affects your immune system. As with all vaccines, you may not respond as strongly as someone with a fully functioning immune system. But getting the vaccine can protect you from becoming very unwell if you get COVID-19.
The best time to get vaccinated is before any planned immunosuppression, but do not delay any treatment.
If you are severely immunocompromised, talk with your doctor or specialist about the timings of your vaccination. You can get the vaccine at any stage of treatment. You may be able to time your vaccination appointments between rounds of treatment for the best immune response.
To help protect yourself, encourage your family and the people you live with to also get vaccinated when it is available to them.
Third primary dose for severely immunocompromised people
Some people over the age of 5 who are severely immunocompromised are eligible to get a third primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This extra dose will help give you your best possible protection.
It should be given 8 weeks after the second dose, but may be given 4 weeks after, depending on current or planned immunosuppressive therapies.
The eligibility criteria to get a third primary dose is complex. It only applies to people who are severely immunocompromised.
Your doctor can tell you whether you are eligible for this third primary dose. If you think you might qualify, speak with your doctor or specialist.
How to get a third primary dose
You can only get a third primary dose after seeing your doctor or specialist. They can give you a prescription to take to any vaccination centre.
Appointments with your doctor for a third primary dose are free.
COVID-19 vaccination for severely immunocompromised people | Ministry of Health
If you have a pre-existing condition that puts you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, you are encouraged to get your booster as soon as possible.
You can get a free booster now if:
- you are aged 18 or over, and
- you are fully vaccinated, and
- it has been at least 3 months since you completed your primary course (for most people, this is 2 doses).
If you are aged 16 or 17
You can get a free Pfizer booster if:
- you are fully vaccinated, and
- it has been at least 6 months since you completed your primary course (for most people, this is 2 doses).
Get your vaccine booster
A second booster is recommended for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are eligible, you should get it at least 6 months after a first booster.
The following people can receive a second booster as a priority:
- people aged 65 and over
- Māori and Pacific peoples aged 50 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.
Medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 | Ministry of Health
A second booster is also available for:
- all people aged 50 and over
- healthcare, aged care and disability workers aged 30 and over.
A second booster is not yet needed by younger people who are generally healthy and do not have underlying health conditions. This includes people who are currently healthy and pregnant.
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.
If you take medications regularly for a health condition, you should keep taking them before you get vaccinated.
If you are taking medications that suppress your immune system, you should talk to your doctor or specialist about timings of your vaccination.
If you have had a serious or immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injection in the past, discuss this with your doctor or vaccinator.
If you have a history of anaphylaxis
You should talk to your doctor about which vaccine is suitable for you if you have a history of anaphylaxis:
- to any ingredient in the Pfizer or Novavax vaccine
- to a previous dose of the Pfizer or Novavax vaccine.
Let the radiographer or doctor know you have recently been vaccinated.
The vaccine can occasionally cause the lymph nodes in your armpit or neck to swell for a few days. This may be seen on the mammogram or ultrasound for up to a few weeks or in a CT scan, including those used to diagnose and check for cancers.
If you need a CT scan, mammogram or ultrasound, you should not delay these appointments. If you have concerns, discuss them with your specialist or radiographer.
If you would like to talk through any questions or worries, you can call the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
The team will be able to chat through your concerns and, if needed, can refer you to a medical professional.