- Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
All New Zealanders aged 30 and over will be able to access the new COVID bivalent booster from April as part of the Government's plan to keep Kiwis safe and take pressure off our health system, says Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall.
The new bivalent vaccine will replace the existing Pfizer booster and is considered likely to be more effective against Omicron subvariants. Bivalent vaccines work by combining two strains of a virus, which prompts the body to create antibodies against both strains, providing a greater level of protection.
"From 1 April, anyone 30+ will be eligible to receive the bivalent vaccine, as long as it's been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test," Dr Verrall said.
"People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 will also be able to receive an additional booster, regardless of how many doses they've previously had.
"As well as broadening the criteria from April, from 1 March anyone currently eligible for a COVID-19 booster will be able to get the new bivalent vaccine.
"We know vaccination is the best protection against the virus, and these actions will provide added protection to a larger number of adult New Zealanders. Latest reporting from the Ministry of Health indicated 8,220 cases over the previous week so the virus is definitely still circulating out there.
"We're also planning for older New Zealanders and those most at risk of getting sick to get a flu jab at the same time as their COVID-19 booster. This will be part of a 'one and done' approach to help people stay well this winter.
"Because it may be a while since your previous boosters, now is a good time to check your records on www.BookMyVaccine.nz . Vaccination against COVID-19 remains free.
"Getting boosted is important for your health and keeping out of hospital this winter," Ayesha Verrall said.
ENDS
Editors Notes
- In making this decision, the Government accepted advice from the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV-TAG) and other experts.
- Those currently eligible for the COVID-19 booster are encouraged to make a booking by visiting www.BookMyVaccine.nz or calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).
- People who will become eligible for an additional booster from 1 April will be able to make a booking later in March.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Current eligibility
First boosters
If you're aged 18 or over, and you completed your primary vaccination course* at least 3 months ago, you're eligible for a Pfizer booster. Novavax is available as a booster at least 6 months after completing the primary course of any COVID-19 vaccine used in New Zealand.
If you're aged 16 or 17, and you completed your primary vaccination course* at least 6 months ago, you're eligible for a booster. Only Pfizer is approved for this age group.
Second boosters
A second booster is recommended for those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 - a minimum of 6 months after a first booster. People recommended to receive a second booster as a priority:
- people aged 65 years and over
- Māori and Pacific peoples aged 50 years and over
- residents of aged care and disability care facilities
- severely immunocompromised people who received a three-dose primary course and a fourth dose as a first booster (noting this would be a fifth dose for these people)
- Other people recommended to receive a second booster as a priority
- people aged 16 years and over who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe breakthrough COVID-19 illness and
- people aged 16 years and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities.
- Clinical criteria in support of second booster eligibility
- In addition, a second booster is available for:
- Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 years and over (from 18 November 2022)
- all people aged 50 years and over
- health, aged care and disability workers aged 30 years and over
From 1 April
An additional booster dose will be made available to:
- anyone aged 30 and over who has completed a primary course, as long as it's been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test.
- anyone at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who has completed a primary course, as long as it's been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test. These high-risk groups include:
- people aged 65 years and over
- Māori and Pacific peoples aged 50 years and over
- residents of aged care and disability care facilities
- severely immunocompromised people
- people aged 16 years and over who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe breakthrough COVID-19 illness
- people aged 16 years and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities.
In all instances the additional booster dose can only be administered to eligible people who have completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination course, and whose most recent COVID-19 vaccine or positive COVID-19 test was at least 6 months ago, irrespective of how many prior booster doses that person has received.
