Second Boosters for Pacific People
Second boosters now available for Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40-49 years
From 18 November 2022, Māori and Pacific Peoples aged 40-49 are eligible for a second booster to provide additional protection against serious illness from COVID-19.
Second boosters continue to be available for everyone over 50 years old.
Everyone is encouraged to stay up to date with their recommended vaccinations to protect from the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation or death from COVID-19.
Māori and Pacific peoples are currently over-represented in both COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths
Extending eligibility of second booster doses to include Māori and Pacific Peoples aged 40-49 years will:
assist in addressing these inequities through supporting higher vaccination rates among Māori and Pacific people.
expand current eligibility for the second booster by 63,144 Māori and Pacific Peoples (approximately 37% of the eligible Māori and Pacific Peoples aged 40-49 have not yet received their first booster).
remove the need for those aged 40-49 with undiagnosed comorbidities to get a prescription for their second booster.
Māori and Pacific Peoples who have not yet had their primary course of COVID-19 vaccinations, or first booster dose, are encouraged to do so.
You can only get your second booster six months after your first booster.
If you have had COVID-19 recently and it is six months after your first booster, you will need to wait at least 3 months after infection before having your second booster.
You can get a booster dose the same way you got your previous COVID-19 vaccinations – including walk-in sites and drive-throughs. You can book an appointment for a booster dose through Book My Vaccine or by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).
COVID-19 vaccinations are free for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand aged 5+.