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).
