How our COVID-19 vaccine rollout will work
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Our vaccine rollout plan
COVID-19 vaccination is free and voluntary for everyone in New Zealand aged 16 and over, regardless of their visa or citizenship status.
We plan to:
- supply enough vaccine to protect Aotearoa and the Pacific
- protect Māori, Pacific peoples, and other groups at greater risk of COVID-19
- make it easy for people to get vaccinated
- put safety first with all COVID-19 vaccines
- ensure we are prepared for future outbreaks
- support New Zealand’s contribution to global well-being.
The best way to protect you, your kaumātua and whānau is to get vaccinated.
Vaccines being used in New Zealand
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the main COVID-19 vaccine being used in New Zealand. The Government has secured enough doses for everyone.
Our vaccination schedule
These dates are estimates — the actual start times will depend on when vaccines are delivered. Changes may also happen if we get new information that affects how the rollout will work.
Find out when you can get vaccinated
Group 1 — now onwards
Border and managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) workers
The first people to be vaccinated are people working at the border or in MIQ, and the people they live with (household contacts).
Group 2 — now onwards
High-risk frontline workers and people living in high-risk places
You are in this group if you:
- are a high-risk frontline healthcare workers
- work in a long-term residential environment
- live in long-term residential care
- are an older Māori or Pacific person being cared for by whānau
- live in the Counties Manukau DHB area and are over 65, have an underlying health condition or disability, are pregnant, or are in a custodial setting.
Group 3 — from May
People who are at risk of getting very sick from COVID-19
You’re in this group if you are:
- aged over 65
- have a relevant underlying health condition
- disabled
- an adult in a custodial setting.
Group 4 — from July
Everyone
You’re in this group if you’re aged 16 or over.
Where vaccinations will happen
We’re committed to putting in place the right systems and services, so it’s easy and convenient to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Border and MIQ workers
You will get your vaccine at or near the place you work. The people you live with will be invited to get their vaccine at a range of places.
High-risk frontline healthcare workers
You will get your vaccine at or near the place you work.
Workers and residents in long-term residential environments
You will get your vaccine at or near your facility.
People in the Counties Manukau DHB area
Different options will be available, including community clinics and pop-up centres.
Other options
We will offer different options to make getting a vaccine as easy as possible. These include:
- pop-up centres
- GPs
- Māori and Pacific providers
- mobile clinics
- community clinics.
Requesting an early vaccine
If you need to travel outside of New Zealand, you can apply for an early COVID-19 vaccine on compassionate grounds or for reasons of national significance.
How we're making sure everyone gets access
COVID-19 vaccines will be free and voluntary for everyone in New Zealand aged 16 and over, regardless of their visa or citizenship status. Any information collected will not be used for immigration purposes.
During 2021, we will be supplied enough vaccines for everyone in New Zealand and the Pacific to be protected against COVID-19.
The role of Māori and Pacific health providers
The Government is committed to upholding and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Partnership, tino rangatiratanga, options, equity and active protection are all a strong focus.
While all health providers are responsible for vaccinating the Māori and Pacific people in their communities, we know Māori and Pacific providers hold trusted relationships with the whānau they serve. These providers will play an important part in making sure Māori and Pacific people get vaccinated.
We will partner with Māori and Pacific providers so they can deliver tailored and targeted approaches to their communities as part of the wider COVID-19 vaccination programme rollout.
The Government has committed dedicated funding and resources for Māori and Pacific providers and communities to prepare for this.
Become a vaccinator
We’re looking for extra vaccinators to support the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
If you’re a retired health professional or not currently working in the health workforce and want to volunteer, visit the Ministry of Health's website to register your interest.
Register your interest in being a vaccinator (external link)
Travel and the border
At this stage, it isn’t clear how the availability of vaccines here and around the world will influence changes to New Zealand's border controls.
We know the vaccines protect individuals from the effects of the virus. However, it's too early for researchers to confirm whether a vaccinated person could still transmit COVID-19 to someone else.
Until we know for sure, we need to keep our current border settings.
Sign up for COVID-19 vaccine updates
Get the latest updates about COVID-19 vaccines in New Zealand.
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