About the vaccine

If you have not yet had any COVID-19 vaccines, you can walk in or drive through to any of our vaccination centres today to receive the Pfizer vaccine. 

If you are 18 years and older and have not had any COVID-19 vaccines, you can book an appointment to receive the Novavax vaccine at BookMyVaccine.nz

If you select Novavax, you will see the locations where this vaccine is available.

You’ll need to provide your written consent to receive a dose of the Novavax vaccine. You can complete the consent form at the vaccination site.

For the best protection, you’ll need two doses of your chosen vaccine. You can have a second dose of Novavax 21 days after your first dose of that vaccine.

If you’d like to have Novavax for a second dose or booster dose after the Pfizer vaccine (or other vaccines), you will firstly need to visit your GP.

Mixing vaccines is currently ‘off-label’ use so a GP visit is necessary to obtain a prescription and to sign a consent form. The GP visit is free.

Once you have your prescription, you can make a booking at BookMyVaccine.nz.

You can have the Novavax vaccine as a second dose 28 days after the first dose of Pfizer.

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available in New Zealand.

COVID-19 vaccines needed to be rolled out quickly, but that does not mean safety was compromised. The Pfizer vaccine we are using in New Zealand is held to the same high safety standards as any other medicine. 

This is the first time scientists and governments from around the world have united to develop a vaccine. This global collaboration meant vaccines were developed very quickly but without taking any shortcuts in the necessary processes or compromising safety. 

• Scientists had a head start because of all the research already carried out on related viruses.
• Governments, private companies and funding agencies have spent a lot of money. This means more could be done in a short space of time.
• Researchers and governments from different countries shared information and worked together. 
• More people than usual volunteered for clinical trials. Some clinical trials were done at the same time, instead of one after another.
• Large manufacturing plants were built so more vaccines can be made faster than was possible before.
• Researchers could show the vaccine worked sooner than usual, because there are so many cases of COVID-19.

Watch NZ Vaccine Facts: Are vaccines safe?

There are many reasons COVID-19 vaccines were able to be made quickly.

• Scientists had a head start because of all the research already carried out on related viruses.
• Governments, private companies and funding agencies have spent a lot of money. This means more could be done in a short space of time.
• Researchers and governments from different countries shared information and worked together. 
• More people than usual volunteered for clinical trials. Some clinical trials were done at the same time, instead of one after another.
• Large manufacturing plants were built so more vaccines can be made faster than was possible before.
• Researchers could show the vaccine worked sooner than usual, because there are so many cases of COVID-19.

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of pregnancy, while trying for a baby or while breastfeeding.

Getting the vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may also help protect your baby as there’s evidence that infants can get antibodies to the virus through cord blood and breast milk.

Vaccine advice - pregnancy, breastfeeding and trying for a baby

No, the Pfizer vaccine will not affect your genes or fertility.

The mRNA from the vaccine does not enter the nucleus of any cells, which is where your DNA is.

COVID-19 vaccines and fertility — IMAC

The Pfizer vaccine has been thoroughly assessed for safety for people with underlying health conditions.

You are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated if you have a condition like cancer, diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease. This is because if you catch COVID-19, you are more likely to get seriously ill and end up in hospital.

You cannot get the Pfizer vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to an ingredient in the vaccine.

If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated.

Vaccine advice if you have a health condition

Ingredients in the vaccine — Ministry of Health

Young people aged 12 to 15 became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine in August 2021.

The vaccine was approved for this age group by Medsafe who is responsible for approving the use of all medicines and vaccines in New Zealand. The Ministry of Health also received advice from science experts in the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group.

Medsafe only gives consent for using a vaccine in Aotearoa once they are satisfied it has met strict standards for safety, efficacy and quality.

A large number of people ages 12 to 15 have now been vaccinated around the world, and no additional safety concerns have been raised.

The Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds has been through clinical trials with tamariki in this age group. In general, the side effects that were reported were mild, didn’t last long, and were similar to side effects from other routine vaccines.

Unlike some other vaccines, there is no food, gelatin or latex in the Pfizer vaccine, so is recommended for tamariki with food allergies. 

Medsafe is responsible for approving the use of all medicines and vaccines in New Zealand and only so once they are satisfied their strict standards for safety, efficacy and quality have been met. 

Research on vaccinating young people can be found here

If you are unwell on the day of your appointment, you will need to reschedule it. You can be vaccinated once you are well again.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get a test and stay at home until you get your results. You can be vaccinated once you have a negative test.

Reschedule your appointment

There is a small number of people who cannot have the Pfizer vaccine for medical reasons. This is estimated to be only a few hundred people.

There are also people who wish to have the option of another COVID-19 vaccine for different reasons. This includes people who need to be vaccinated because of the work they do.

Novavax is available for anyone aged 18 years and older who want a different vaccine, rather than Pfizer.

You will need two doses of Novavax. The second dose needs to be at least 21 days after the first dose. To have the best protection, you need to get both doses of the vaccine. You can also receive Novavax for your booster dose. 

How vaccines are approved for use

Medsafe is New Zealand’s medicines safety authority. It checks applications for all new medicines, including vaccines, to make sure they meet international standards and local requirements.

It will only recommend a medicine is approved for use in New Zealand if it meets these standards.

Medsafe has given the Pfizer vaccine provisional approval (with conditions) for use in New Zealand. As part of this process, Pfizer must give Medsafe ongoing data and reporting to show that it meets international standards.

How we check the safety of vaccines being used

Medsafe will continue to monitor the safety and efficacy of the vaccine as it is used. It reviews data from ongoing clinical trials around the world, and reports from healthcare professionals and people who have been vaccinated.

Assessing and approving the vaccines — Ministry of Health(external link)