More Māori and Pacific peoples eligible for second COVID-19 vaccine booster

16 Nov 2022

Broader second booster access will support higher vaccination rates among Māori and Pacific peoples and provide them with additional protection.

Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 to 49 will be eligible for a second COVID-19 booster from Friday 18 November to provide additional protection from the virus.

The decision by the Director-General of Health to expand second booster eligibility follows a recommendation from the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV-TAG). Lowering the eligible age to 40 years will help to address health inequity.

Key points

• Second COVID-19 booster will be available to Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 to 49, 6 months after first booster.
• Over 63,000 Māori and Pacific peoples will become eligible.
• Second booster will be available for this group from Friday 18 November.

Helping reduce serious illness

Recent data reveals Māori and Pacific peoples remain at higher risk of severe outcomes from the virus. Over 63,000 people will immediately become eligible for the second COVID-19 booster.

First and second boosters help to reduce the chance of more serious illness and hospitalisation, so we strongly recommend people book in for the vaccines they are eligible for.

There is clear evidence that the burden from COVID-19 has fallen unevenly, and Māori and Pacific peoples are over-represented in COVID-19 hospitalisations with that risk increasing from the age of 40 years.

The broader second booster access will help support higher vaccination rates among Māori and Pacific peoples and provide them with additional protection.

Second boosters can be given at least 6 months after a first booster, and at least 3 months after a COVID-19 infection.

Based on current advice, for those who are not at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, a 2-dose primary course and a booster dose continue to provide very good and lasting protection from severe illness. By being more targeted in the rollout of the second booster, we can help reach the people that need it most.

Get your booster

First and second booster vaccines are available through walk-in and booked appointments at Māori and Pacific providers, pharmacies, general practice and other locations across Aotearoa. Appointments can be booked at BookMyVaccine.nz(external link) or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.

We continue to review new information on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines as it becomes available, and will make further updated recommendations if necessary.

COVID-19 vaccines

VACCINATION AND BOOSTERS

People are encouraged to go to local pharmacies and GP surgeries for vaccinations and boosters.

Vaccination sites:

Life Pharmacy Masterton Queen Street, Masterton Phone 06 377 1296	12 years and over	Monday - Friday 8.45am - 5:15pm Saturday 9am - 12.45pm Walk in or book online https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz
Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ)  Home visits arranged by phoning 0800 829 924	5 years and over	Our mobile teams will happily travel to your home, work place or community group, to provide vaccinations and boosters.
Unichem Southend  Phone 06 377 3891 NOTE: Pharmacy is open for general business 7 days a week.	12 years and over	Monday - Friday 9.15am - 5pm Walk in or book online https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz
Duncan's Pharmacy Phone 06 377 0090 45 Queen Street, Kuripuni, Masterton	12 years and over	Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Walk in or book online  https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz
Carterton Pharmacy Phone 06 379 8244 100 High Street, Carterton	12 years and over Bookings preferred	Monday - Friday 9am - 4.30pm Walk in or book online https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz
Greytown Medical Centre Phone 06 304 9012 30 Bidwills Cutting Road, Greytown	12 years and over 5-11 year olds	Monday 2pm - 4.30pm Thursday 9am - 11.45am Thursday 3pm-3.30pm

Novavax is available to anyone eligible (18+, 1st and 2nd dose only) in Masterton.

Our mobile teams can visit anyone who needs a home or work-based vaccination and boosters. Chat to us on 0800 829 924.

RATs

For Rapid Antigent Tests (RATs) please go to your local pharmacy. Rural locations in the Wairarapa region have RATs supplies at these locations:

Tinui Cafe, Castlepoint Store, Riversdale Store, Maatange Tapuhi, Riversdale, Mauriceville, Pirinoa, Ngawi and Te Wharau.

Want to learn more about why we vaccinate? Click HERE

To see how your area is progressing with vaccinations, click HERE

Supportive tool for people with disabilities - The manaakitanga journey to getting vaccinated Click HERE

It's important to remember that any communications about COVID-19 and the vaccine will come only from the Ministry of Health or other trusted sources.

www.health.govt.nz
www.covid19.govt.nz

Misinformation, scams and frauds exploiting COVID-19 may arrive in the form of an email, text, phone call or through social media. Trust your source!

Want to know more about New Zealand's Vaccine Pass and International Vaccination certificate? Click HERE

Find more information on providers and services in your area on Healthpoint. Click HERE