Te whiwhi kano ārai mate KOWHEORI-19 Getting COVID-19 vaccines

Tamariki (children) aged 6 months to 4 years old can get the infant XBB COVID-19 vaccine if they are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This is if they are severely immunocompromised or have complex or multiple health conditions.

Health conditions include:

• chronic lung disease
• serious heart conditions such as congestive heart failure or congenital heart disease
• diabetes
• chronic kidney disease
• chronic neurological or neuromuscular disease such as cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• a weakened immune system or are on an immunosuppressive treatment such as chemotherapy
• severe haematological disorders
• a transplant in the last 24 months.

You can find more detailed information on the eligibility criteria on the Starship website:

Risk factors for COVID-19 in children — Starship

They need 3 doses of the infant XBB vaccine.

• The first and second dose are given 3 weeks apart.
• The third dose is given at least 8 weeks after the second dose.

Tamariki who have their first dose under the age of 5 will still need 3 doses — even if they turn 5 after their first or second dose.

Some at risk and immunocompromised tamariki who have received their initial doses (completed a primary course) with the previous version of the COVID-19 vaccine, can get 1 more dose of the XBB COVID-19 vaccine if it has been 6 months since their last dose or COVID-19 infection. 

Talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider about your child's specific circumstances.

Tamariki aged 6 months to 4 years who do not have these health conditions have a very low likelihood of severe illness from COVID-19 infection and are therefore not eligible to have the vaccine.

Their usual healthcare provider can give you guidance on whether they are eligible for this vaccine.

Healthy tamariki

Healthy tamariki (children) aged 5 to 11 years old can be protected against COVID-19 with 1 dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 XBB vaccine.

This gives tamariki good protection against severe illness from COVID-19 and this means that tamariki are not eligible for any further doses. Tamariki who have been immunised are less likely to have a severe illness and need to go to hospital if they get COVID-19.

If tamariki are part way through receiving a course of the previous vaccine, they will receive the XBB vaccine for their next dose. Talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider about your child's specific circumstances.

At risk and immunocompromised tamariki

At risk and immunocompromised tamariki (children) are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 XBB vaccine and may need more than 1 dose of the vaccine to be protected from serious illness.

If tamariki are part way through receiving a course of the previous vaccine, they will receive the XBB vaccine for their next dose.

Some at risk and immunocompromised tamariki who have completed the initial (primary course) with the previous version of the COVID-19 vaccine, can get 1 more dose of the XBB COVID-19 vaccine if it has been 6 months since their last dose or COVID-19 infection. 

Talk to your healthcare provider about your child's specific circumstances.

You can find more detailed information on the eligibility criteria on the Starship website:

Risk factors for COVID-19 in children — Starship

Rangatahi (young people) aged 12 to 15 are eligible for a single initial dose of the Pfizer XBB vaccine.

Healthy tamariki under 16 years old are not eligible for additional doses.

Rangatahi aged 12 to 15 at high risk of severe illness can get additional doses, including pregnant people. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider about whether this is recommended. 

People aged 16 to 29 are eligible for:

• a single initial dose of the Pfizer vaccine
• 1 additional dose 6 months after you last had a COVID-19 vaccine — it is recommended you wait 6 months after your last COVID-19 illness to get an additional dose.

Those at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 may also have additional doses. This includes:

• severely immunocompromised people
• pregnant people
• people who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19
• people who live with a disability or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities. 

If you have a different underlying health condition and are not sure if the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for you, or if you have concerns, talk to your healthcare provider. 

Adults aged 30 and over can get:

• a single dose  of the Pfizer vaccine as an initial dose
• plus additional doses at least 6 months after you last had a COVID-19 vaccine — it is recommended you wait 6 months after your last COVID-19 illness to get additional doses.

You can get additional doses regardless of how many doses you have already have and you may be able to get your COVID-19 vaccine from 3 to 6 months after your last dose. For example, if you are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Talk to your doctor or specialist for advice on the timing of your next dose. 
 

We encourage you to get the vaccine if you are aged 12 years and over with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Medical conditions include:

• 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
• serious mental health issues such as schizophrenia, or major depression.

If you have a different underlying health condition and are not sure if the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for you, or if you have concerns, talk to your healthcare provider.

If you have cancer

If you have cancer, you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

If you are currently receiving treatment for cancer, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine. There is no evidence that it interacts with cancer treatments. Depending on your treatment, you may be able to time your vaccine between rounds of treatment for the best immune response. You can discuss the timing of your immunisation with your doctor or specialist.

Any side effects you experience will be similar to the general population. There is no evidence they will be worse if you have cancer.

If you have had cancer and finished treatment, you should get the vaccine when you can. If you have any concerns, you can talk with your healthcare provider.

If you have HIV

If you have HIV, you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Clinical trials for the Pfizer vaccine included people with HIV. Evidence does not show that COVID-19 has any potential side effects from the vaccine will be worse if you have HIV.

Based on what we know about people living with HIV and their response to other vaccines:

• you may have a weaker response to some vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine
• if you have a suppressed viral load you are likely to gain some protection from the COVID-19 vaccine

If you are newly diagnosed and starting HIV treatment, talk to your specialist about the timing of your immunisation.

Any medicine you are taking for HIV, including PrEP, is not expected to change how effective the COVID-19 vaccine is. The vaccine will not affect your HIV medication.​

If you are immunocompromised, you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine when receiving medicine 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. Talk to your healthcare provider or specialist about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

You can get the Pfizer vaccine at any stage of pregnancy including breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant. 

Being vaccinated against COVID-19 means you are less likely to get seriously ill. It also helps protect your pēpi from COVID-19 while you are pregnant and after they are born.

As well as your initial COVID-19 dose/s, pregnant people over 12 years old, can have additional doses as long as it’s been 6 months since the last dose or COVID-19 infection.

You can talk to a trained advisor in the Healthline disability team about getting your COVID-19 vaccines. The team is made up of people who have experience of a disability themselves, or who have worked with the disabled community.

The disability team is available Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm.

• Call: 0800 28 29 26 and select option 2
• Free text: 8988
• Email: accessiblecovidvaccinations@whakarongorau.nz

Getting your vaccine

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 immunised, 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 if you feel scared or worried. Ask the vaccinator if you have any questions.

You will need to wait for 15 minutes after your vaccine. If this is hard for you, ask if you can wait somewhere else.

Mpox and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended to be at least 4 weeks apart.

All other vaccines may be given before, after, or at the same time as any other COVID-19 vaccines.

If your first dose was the Pfizer vaccine

You can have your second dose in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will need to be at least 3 weeks after your first dose.

If your first dose was the AstraZeneca vaccine

The AstraZeneca vaccine is no longer available in Aotearoa. You can get the Novavax or Pfizer vaccine for your second dose.

If your first dose was a different vaccine

At this stage, we recommend you get a dose of the Pfizer vaccine in Aotearoa.

When booking, you will be asked if you have had 1 dose already, which vaccine it was, and the date it was received. Book My Vaccine will calculate when you are able to get a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

These vaccines are not interchangeable, but you are likely to have a good response to an additional single dose of the Pfizer vaccine. This is because all the vaccines target the immune response to the same part of the COVID-19 virus.

If you have had 1 dose of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, you do not need a second dose.

Boosters

The Pfizer vaccine is the main vaccine being used in Aotearoa for boosters, even if you had a different vaccine for your earlier doses. Novavax boosters are only available for people aged 18 or older.

If you have had a serious or immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injection in the past, discuss this with your vaccinator.

Side effects and reactions

You should talk to your healthcare provider 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.

When you book your vaccine, you will be asked if you need help during your appointment.

Assistance includes:

• an New Zealand sign language interpreter
• support to make decisions
• assistance to move around
• a longer appointment time
• a quiet or low-sensory environment
• more space to move around.

If you book online, we may need to contact you to make sure we can meet your requirements at your chosen immunisation site.

Let the radiographer or specialist know you have recently been immunised.

The vaccine can occasionally cause the lymph nodes in your armpit or neck to swell for a few days. This may be seen on a mammogram, ultrasound, CT or MRI scan for up to a few weeks.

You should not delay these appointments. If you have concerns, talk to your specialist or radiographer.

Before your vaccine, you will be asked:

• for your name, date of birth and physical address so we can verify this in the Aotearoa Immunisation Register — you do not need to show identification
• to give your verbal consent to receive the vaccine — this is standard practice for any vaccination.

Consent for tamariki vaccines

A responsible adult needs to accompany the child to their appointment. This may be a parent, an adult family member, trusted family friend, legal power of attorney, or whanaungatanga carer.

A legal guardian of the tamaiti (child) needs to give consent for them if they are under 12 years old.

If the adult who accompanies the child to the appointment is not the child’s legal guardian either:

• the vaccinator will need to verbally confirm by phone with a legal guardian that they consent to the child being immunised
• the responsible adult can bring a signed copy of the COVID-19 vaccination consent form completed by a guardian.

COVID-19 vaccination consent form

This is standard consenting process.

Rangatahi aged 12 and above

While rangatahi aged 12 and above have the right to give their own consent, we recommend they discuss immunisation with their parents, whānau or a trusted support person.

A health professional will also discuss the vaccine with them before they get immunised. They can say yes or no, or have their caregiver give consent for them. 

If you are disabled or impaired

When it is your time to get immunised, 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.