With COVID-19 in the community, it’s recommended you get your booster dose to increase your protection against the virus and reduce the likelihood of passing COVID-19 on to others.
People who are 18 years old and over can get their booster three months after their second dose. 16 and 17 year olds can get a booster dose six months after their second dose.
You can visit any of our walk-in vaccination centres or book an appointment by calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.
Second booster
It is recommended for those more vulnerable and at increased risk of a severe illness from COVID-19 to have a second booster a minimum of 6 months after their first booster.
These people are:
- 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)
- 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.
In addition, a second booster is available for:
- all people aged over 50 years
- health, aged care and disability workers aged over 30 years.
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).
Booster Dose FAQs
Why do I need a booster dose?
A booster provides better protection for you and your whānau
- Your first two doses will continue to protect you from getting seriously ill and being hospitalised
- A booster dose increases your protection from COVID-19 and means you are less likely to pass it on to others in your household. This includes younger family members who can’t get vaccinated.
A booster provides added protection against the new Omicron variant
- Research on the Omicron variant suggests that a booster is particularly important for helping to better prevent you from getting/passing on the new variant and preventing hospitalisation
When can I get my booster dose?
The Pfizer booster dose is now available. You need to be at least 16 years old.
If you are aged over 18 years you can get the booster 3 months after your second dose.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you will need to wait 6 months after your second dose before getting your booster.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you will need to wait for three months after recovering before getting your next COVID-19 vaccination. This will ensure you have the maximum protection against the virus.
How can I get my booster dose?
You can walk in at many vaccination sites or book an appointment by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26
From 17 January, you can book online at Book My Vaccine.
Some GPs and pharmacies also take bookings.
For a complete list of where to get vaccinated click here.
Is it mandatory to get a booster dose?
Booster doses are mandatory for workforces covered by the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 (Vaccinations Order). This includes the healthcare, disability, border, MIQ, education, corrections, defence and fire and emergency workforces.
What if I am immunocompromised?
Some people over the age of 12 who are severely immunocompromised will be eligible to get a third primary dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. This third dose will be optional but is recommended. This primary third dose is different to a booster dose for the general population.
Find more information on how to get a third primary dose
What if I have had another vaccine overseas?
Regardless of which COVID vaccination you have had overseas, you can receive a booster dose. If you are in New Zealand, aged 16 and older and it is at least 3 months (6 months for 16/17 year olds) following the second dose, you will be eligible for a booster dose.