COVID-19 vaccines overview

Key points about COVID-19 vaccines

Here you can find the answers to common questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccination can help reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 again and passing it on.
It also reduces the chances of you becoming very ill and ending up in hospital.

Health professional and patient in consultation room looking at vaccine page on computer

There are many ways to book your vaccine:

Contact your GP clinic.
Website: To make an appointment, go to Book My Vaccine(external link)
Phone: Call the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 8am–8pm, 7 days a week. You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.
If you speak a Pacific language: You can phone the Pacific COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 21 12 21.
Find a vaccination centre near you: Use the interactive map on the Karawhiua website to find a vaccination centre near you (karawhiua.nz(external link))

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the preferred vaccine in Aotearoa New Zealand. Read more about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Note: The COVID-19 AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines are no longer available in New Zealand.

Yes, people with underlying health conditions, including people with weak immune systems (immunocompromised) can get the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more about vaccine advice if you have a health condition(external link).

Yes, it is strongly recommended to get the COVID vaccine if you have already had COVID – complete your primary course (for most people, this is 2 doses) and get your booster.

Vaccination can help reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 again and passing it on. It also reduces the chances of you becoming very ill and ending up in hospital.
Being vaccinated provides better protection than any immunity you might get from being infected with the virus and can also help protect you from new variants of COVID-19.

In this video, Tū Pakari, Tū Taha – Tangata Whaiora hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine, Chloe Fergusson-Tibble talks about getting the COVID-19 vaccination and the importance for Māori.

(Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora | Health Promotion, 2022)

Videos about COVID-19 vaccines, including people explaining why they are getting the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their whānau.

Straight Up with Dr Lily Fraser – Pakeke

(Ministry of Health, NZ, 2021)

Watch the rest of the video series here(external link).

Getting your COVID-19 vaccination

(Northern Region Health Coordination Centre, NZ, 2021)

Dr Emma Espiner and Dr Api Talemaitoga answer your COVID-19 vaccine questions

(Unite against COVID-19, NZ, 2021)

Do you have a long-term medical condition and are concerned about getting the Pfizer vaccine?

Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, the Director Pacific Health for the Ministry of Health, has a long-term medical condition. Gerardine shares her story and what made her decide to get the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.