Healthy tamariki

Healthy tamariki (children) aged 5 to 11 years old can be protected against COVID-19 with 1 dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 XBB vaccine.

This gives tamariki good protection against severe illness from COVID-19 and this means that tamariki are not eligible for any further doses. Tamariki who have been immunised are less likely to have a severe illness and need to go to hospital if they get COVID-19.

If tamariki are part way through receiving a course of the previous vaccine, they will receive the XBB vaccine for their next dose. Talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider about your child's specific circumstances.

At risk and immunocompromised tamariki

At risk and immunocompromised tamariki (children) are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 XBB vaccine and may need more than 1 dose of the vaccine to be protected from serious illness.

If tamariki are part way through receiving a course of the previous vaccine, they will receive the XBB vaccine for their next dose.

Some at risk and immunocompromised tamariki who have completed the initial (primary course) with the previous version of the COVID-19 vaccine, can get 1 more dose of the XBB COVID-19 vaccine if it has been 6 months since their last dose or COVID-19 infection. 

Talk to your healthcare provider about your child's specific circumstances.

You can find more detailed information on the eligibility criteria on the Starship website:

Risk factors for COVID-19 in children — Starship (external link)

Rangatahi (young people) aged 12 to 15 are eligible for a single initial dose of the Pfizer XBB vaccine.

Healthy tamariki under 16 years old are not eligible for additional doses.

Rangatahi aged 12 to 15 at high risk of severe illness can get additional doses, including pregnant people. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider about whether this is recommended. 

People aged 16 to 29 are eligible for:

• a single initial dose of the Pfizer vaccine
• 1 additional dose 6 months after you last had a COVID-19 vaccine — it is recommended you wait 6 months after your last COVID-19 illness to get an additional dose.

Those at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 may also have additional doses. This includes:

• severely immunocompromised people
• pregnant people
• people who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19
• people who live with a disability or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities. 

If you have a different underlying health condition and are not sure if the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for you, or if you have concerns, talk to your healthcare provider. 

If you are immunocompromised, you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine when receiving medicine or therapy that affects your immune system. As with all vaccines, you may not respond as strongly as someone with a fully functioning immune system. But getting the vaccine can protect you from becoming very unwell if you get COVID-19.

The best time to get vaccinated is before any planned immunosuppression, but do not delay any treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider or specialist about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

You can get the Pfizer vaccine at any stage of pregnancy including breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant. 

Being vaccinated against COVID-19 means you are less likely to get seriously ill. It also helps protect your pēpi from COVID-19 while you are pregnant and after they are born.

As well as your initial COVID-19 dose/s, pregnant people over 12 years old, can have additional doses as long as it’s been 6 months since the last dose or COVID-19 infection.

If your first dose was the Pfizer vaccine

You can have your second dose in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will need to be at least 3 weeks after your first dose.

If your first dose was the AstraZeneca vaccine

The AstraZeneca vaccine is no longer available in Aotearoa. You can get the Novavax or Pfizer vaccine for your second dose.

If your first dose was a different vaccine

At this stage, we recommend you get a dose of the Pfizer vaccine in Aotearoa.

When booking, you will be asked if you have had 1 dose already, which vaccine it was, and the date it was received. Book My Vaccine will calculate when you are able to get a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

These vaccines are not interchangeable, but you are likely to have a good response to an additional single dose of the Pfizer vaccine. This is because all the vaccines target the immune response to the same part of the COVID-19 virus.

If you have had 1 dose of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, you do not need a second dose.

Additional doses

The Pfizer vaccine is the vaccine being used in Aotearoa for additional doses, even if you had a different vaccine for your earlier doses. 

If you have had a serious or immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injection in the past, discuss this with your vaccinator.

Side effects and reactions (internal link)

You should talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccine is suitable for you if you have a history of anaphylaxis:

• to any ingredient in the Pfizer or Novavax vaccine
• to a previous dose of the Pfizer or Novavax vaccine.

When you book your vaccine, you will be asked if you need help during your appointment.

Assistance includes:

• an New Zealand sign language interpreter
• support to make decisions
• assistance to move around
• a longer appointment time
• a quiet or low-sensory environment
• more space to move around.

If you book online, we may need to contact you to make sure we can meet your requirements at your chosen immunisation site.

Let the radiographer or specialist know you have recently been immunised.

The vaccine can occasionally cause the lymph nodes in your armpit or neck to swell for a few days. This may be seen on a mammogram, ultrasound, CT or MRI scan for up to a few weeks.

You should not delay these appointments. If you have concerns, talk to your specialist or radiographer.