Vaccinations for disabled people

This section has information about COVID-19 vaccination for disabled people.

COVID-19 vaccinations

Vaccinations for children and young people

Everyone in New Zealand aged 5 and over can get a free COVID-19 vaccine now. Children and young people with disabilities can get vaccinated at some accessible sites with their whānau.

Learn more about vaccinations for children

Young children aged 6 months to 4 years who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 can get a vaccination.

Learn more about vaccinations for young children

Booster doses

Having COVID-19 does not provide the same level of immunity as getting vaccinated. We also know that your protection from the primary course (this is usually 2 doses) of the vaccine decreases over time.

To keep your immunity levels high, stay up to date with your vaccinations — including boosters. This will lower your chances of getting very sick from COVID-19 and ending up in hospital.

For boosters, we use the Pfizer BA.4/5 bivalent vaccine. This is an updated vaccine targeting Omicron.

Learn more about booster doses

Talk to a trained advisor

If you are worried about getting the vaccine, you can talk to a trained advisor in the Healthline disability team. The team is made up of people who have experience of a disability themselves, or who have worked with the disabled community.

They will support you, your whānau or someone you care for and answer any questions you may have about:

  • accessibility arrangements and getting mobility assistance at different vaccination centres
  • getting your vaccination safely
  • home vaccinations
  • any effects the vaccine may have on you or your medications.

The disability team is available Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm.

Where to get your vaccination

If you have decided you want to get the vaccine, it is easy to get vaccinated.

You can get your vaccination at:

  • an accessible site
  • your doctor or local pharmacy
  • any other vaccination centre near you.

You can also talk to, text or email a trained advisor to discuss whether a home vaccination is right for you.

Some vaccination centres are fully accessible. Your family, whānau and support workers are also welcome to get their vaccinations with you.

Map of vaccination centres around Aotearoa New Zealand | karawhiua.nz (external link)

Booking your COVID-19 vaccination

You can book your vaccination by:

The disability team can also help you book an appointment for your tamariki at an accessible site.

Getting ready for your vaccination

You can take a support person with you when you get your vaccination. This can be a carer, or someone else you trust.

When you get to the vaccination site, you will need to sign in. If you need an NZSL interpreter or information in an accessible format, please ask.

When it is your time to get vaccinated, the staff will ask you whether it is okay to give you the vaccine. If you say yes, this is called consent. If you cannot give consent, someone who is allowed to make decisions for you can give consent for you.

The vaccinator may also ask you questions about how you are feeling, and what medication you take.

It is normal to feel scared or worried. Ask the vaccinator if you have any questions.

You will need to wait for 15 minutes after your vaccination. If this is hard for you, ask if you can wait somewhere else.

Making a decision about getting vaccinated

You can choose to get the vaccine. You can say yes or no, or ask for help making your decision.

For disabled people or people with an impairment, the journey to get vaccinated may look a little different. 

Information and advice

For people with a disability or impairment:

If you are supporting someone with a disability to make a decision, it can also help to read our advice on conversations about vaccination: 

How to talk to friends and whānau about the COVID-19 vaccine

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