Disabled people - vaccine advice

This page provides information for people with disabilities or impairments that may increase their risk of getting COVID-19, and for their care providers.

_{Last updated 4 March 2021}

On this page:

• When you can get a vaccine
• Informed consent and supported decision-making
• Alternate formats available
• Making a decision about having the COVID-19 vaccine
• General COVID-19 advice for disabled people and their whānau

Receiving a Covid-19 vaccine

Vaccines are now available to help protect people with disabilities from getting COVID-19. People with disabilities are often at higher risk of catching and getting very sick from COVID-19 so it is important to get vaccinated to protect your health and the health of your whānau.

If you have disabilities you may also have other complex health condition such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or obesity. These conditions may put you at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. Talk to your doctor about your health conditions that may put you at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 and about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Where to get vaccinated

A full list of vaccination sites in the MidCentral DHB region can be found here . 

When you can get a vaccine

It is important that people with disabilities get the COVID-19 vaccine. Those aged 5 and older are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Underlying health conditions

If you also have an underlying health condition you can learn about how this affects when you can get a vaccine. 

Underlying health conditions – vaccine advice

Alternate formats available 

We have information and health advice about COVID-19 vaccines in Easy Read, New Zealand Sign Language, large print and audio formats.

COVID-19: Easy Read information
COVID-19 New Zealand Sign Language
COVID-19: Large print and audio

Making a decision about having the COVID-19 vaccine

Everyone should have the opportunity to take an active role in making decisions about:

• their emotional wellbeing
• their physical health and wellbeing
• things important to them.

We have a decision-making tool that can help you decide about having the COVID-19 vaccine. You can fill in the tool yourself and take it with you to your vaccination appointment. 

Making a decision about having the COVID-19 vaccine: Decision-making tool – Easy Read (PDF, 1.56 MB)
Making a decision about having the COVID-19 vaccine: Decision-making tool – Easy Read (Word, 4.1 MB)

Informed consent

A copy of the COVID-19 vaccination consent form is located at the bottom of your booking invitation letter.  Consent will be accepted on the day of the vaccination and is done electronically; it is necessary for those requiring a supported decision that this process is completed prior to the vaccination appointment and is done with a trusted person who can help guide the consent process. This may be whānau, a guardian, their general practice team, or another close person who has can advise on their best interests.

Supported decision-making

If you’re supporting someone with a disability to decide about the COVID-19 vaccine, you can read the guidance information and use one of the supported decision-making tools. 

There are three guidance tools that can be filled in. Choose the guidance tool or combination of tools that best suit the communication profile of the person you're supporting to make a decision.

Full guidance, includes all three tools:

Supported decision-making: Full guidance and tools – Easy Read (PDF, 1.48 MB)
Supported decision-making: Full guidance and tools – Easy Read (Word, 5.56 MB)

Guidance Tool 1:

Guidance tool 1: Supported decision-making – Easy Read (PDF, 723.42 KB)
Guidance tool 1: Supported decision-making – Easy Read (Word, 3.56 MB)

Guidance Tool 2:

Guidance tool 2: Supported decision-making – Easy Read (PDF, 648.18 KB)
Guidance tool 2: Supported decision-making – Easy Read (Word, 3.41 MB)

Guidance Tool 3:

Guidance tool 3: Supported decision-making – Easy Read (PDF, 736.08 KB)
Guidance tool 3: Supported decision-making – Easy Read (Word, 3.6 MB)

General COVID-19 advice for disabled people and their whānau

We have other information specifically for disabled people and their family and whānau.

COVID-19: Information for disabled people and their family and whānau