The primary COVID-19 vaccine we are using in New Zealand is made by Pfizer-BioNTech. It is also known by its brand name, Comirnaty. It is an mRNA-based (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine. It does not contain any live, dead or deactivated viruses. It does not affect or interact with your DNA or genes.
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available in New Zealand.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
The Novavax vaccine is available for anyone aged 18 years and older who wants a different vaccine option.
Novavax is a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine helps prevent you from getting infected and having COVID-19 symptoms, or severe illness.
You will require a prescription for your second primary dose if your first primary dose was not Novavax. You can get a prescription prior to your appointment with your GP. No prescription is required to have Novavax at your standard six month booster.
Novavax is only available from a limited number of vaccination sites and by booking only. You can find out more about Novavax here
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 Pfizer vaccine contains:
messenger RNA encoding SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
lipid nanoparticle – a stabilised fat-based bubble to protect and carry the mRNA into our cells
salt buffers – to maintain the pH of the vaccine
sucrose – to protect the vaccine while in storage.
The Pfizer vaccine does not contain:
The type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is new to humans. This is why our bodies do not already know how to fight it off.
How it works
Watch NZ Vaccine Facts: What is a virus and how do vaccines work?
COVID-19 vaccines are already the most well-studied vaccines ever made.
We know the Pfizer vaccine works because it went through months of clinical testing with more than 40,000 people before it was approved for use. Clinical trials compared the results of a vaccinated group with another group who received a placebo (salt solution).
Since then, we have given millions of doses of the Pfizer vaccine in New Zealand and worldwide, with ongoing monitoring of both the protection and safety of this vaccine.
In the clinical trials, it was found that the Pfizer vaccine gave 95% protection against the symptoms of COVID-19.
COVID-19: Vaccine clinical trials and testing – Ministry of Health
It is highly effective against the Delta variant
Data from England shows that 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine is highly effective against the Delta variant.
Evidence shows that is it still effective against the Delta variant and those few vaccinated people who get infected still have a milder illness with fewer symptoms.
For maximum protection, you need 2 doses
As with any vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine may not fully protect everyone who gets it from COVID-19. But research shows that if you get your 2 doses, you will have a high degree of protection against infection.
Watch NZ Vaccine Facts: Do vaccines work when a virus changes?
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available in New Zealand.
Novavax is available for anyone aged 18 years and older who want a different vaccine, rather than Pfizer.
Pfizer vaccine continues to be the preferred COVID-19 vaccine in New Zealand. Pfizer and Novavax will protect you against the symptoms of COVID-19. Both vaccines are free.
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.
The Novavax vaccine has been thoroughly assessed for safety by Medsafe. Medsafe only grants approval for using a vaccine in Aotearoa once it is satisfied the international evidence shows benefits outweigh the risks. There have been no shortcuts taken in granting approval.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use as a primary course vaccine in 38 countries, including Australia, European Union member states, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
If you are 18 years and older and have not had any COVID-19 vaccines so far, you can make a booking at BookMyVaccine.nz.
Select Novavax and you will see the locations where you can get this vaccine. Or you can check the locations here.
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.
If you have already had one dose of the Pfizer vaccine (or other vaccines) and would like to have Novavax as your second dose, 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.
Novavax is a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine.
This is considered a more traditional vaccine type, as similar vaccine technology has been used since the mid-1980s, initially to fight against hepatitis B then later for other illnesses such as influenza, pertussis (whooping cough), cholera, diphtheria, human papillomavirus, malaria, and meningococcal disease.
Novavax, as well as the Pzifer and AstraZeneca vaccines, help prevent you from getting infected and having COVID-19 symptoms, or severe illness.
If you are 18 years and older you can get the Novavax vaccine.
There are a very small number of people (estimated to be a few hundred) who cannot have the Pfizer vaccine for medical reasons and others may choose to get Novavax.
Like the Pfizer vaccine, you need two doses of Novavax to be fully vaccinated.
The Novavax vaccine is not recommended for those who:
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.
There are many reasons COVID-19 vaccines were able to be made quickly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
NZ Vaccine Facts: What is a virus and how do vaccines work?