COVID-19 booster eligibility expansion

Approved on 28 April 2023

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. 

Eligibility from 1 May

The additional COVID-19 booster is available for: 

  • people aged 30 and over

  • people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 aged 16 to 29

  • pregnant people aged 16 to 29 years

  • severely immunocompromised young people aged 12 to 15.

Boosters are especially recommended for: 

  • all people aged 65 years and over 

  • Māori and Pacific people aged 50 and over 

  • people living in aged or disability residential care facilities 

  • people aged 30 and over at risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19 

  • pregnant people with health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19   

  • people with disability with significant or complex health needs 

  • people with serious mental health conditions  

  • severely immunocompromised young people aged 12 to 15. Talk to your usual doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider about whether this is recommended and how to get a prescription. 

Additional information 

To get an additional COVID-19 vaccine:

  • you must have had at least your first two COVID-19 vaccinations

  • It’s recommended that you wait at least 6 months if you have had a COVID-19 infection. People at higher risk of serious illness can consider an additional booster from 3 months after COVID-19 illness. 

After a COVID-19 infection your antibody levels will be high, giving you some protection. This gradually decreases over 6 months which is why an additional booster dose isn't recommended until 6 months after infection. 

If you want to have an additional booster earlier than the recommended gap after your last COVID-19 vaccine, you should discuss this with your healthcare provider. You might not need a prescription.

If you are at higher risk of impact of Flu or COVID-19 illness, please consult with a health professional on the right time for you to get an additional booster dose, it may be earlier than 6 months. 

We encourage everyone who is eligible, to get both their COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination to ensure that they are well protected ahead of Winter. 

Staying up to date with the recommended COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to protect you from the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation or death from COVID-19. 

Novavax additional booster doses continue to be available for eligible people aged 18 or older, 6 months after their last vaccination or infection with COVID-19. Prescriptions are not required, however Novavax is not recommended for pregnant people.

You can book your COVID-19 vaccine or booster at www.BookMyVaccine.nz or by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).