Support and information for disabled people

This section contains information about COVID-19 and vaccination for disabled people and people with impairments or underlying medical conditions and their whānau and communities.

Information in alternate formats Talk to a trained advisor about the vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination update

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

Find an accessible vaccination centre near you

Where to get your tamariki vaccinated

Booster doses

If you are aged 18 and over, and it has been 4 months since your last dose, you can book your booster online now through Book My Vaccine (external link).

Learn more about booster doses

Information about booster doses — Easy Read [DOCX, 6.4 MB]

Information about booster doses — Easy Read [PDF, 1.7 MB]

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Vaccines protect you

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine protects you, your whānau and your community.

The vaccine teaches your body how to fight the virus.

It will protect you from getting very sick if you do get COVID-19. It protects your whānau and friends because you are less likely to pass COVID-19 on to people around you.

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.

My Vaccine Pass

My Vaccine Pass is an official record of your COVID-19 vaccination status for use within Aotearoa New Zealand. You may need to show your My Vaccine Pass to enter venues like cafes, bars and gyms and go to events.

There are 3 ways to get your My Vaccine Pass:

If you need help, call 0800 28 29 26 and press 2 to speak to the disability team.

Once you get your pass, save it on your phone, or print it out and keep it in a safe place. Remember to take your My Vaccine Pass with you wherever you go. 

How to get your My Vaccine Pass

Information about My Vaccine Pass — Easy Read [DOCX, 6.1 MB]

Information about My Vaccine Pass — Easy Read [PDF, 1.6 MB]

Information about My Covid Record — Easy Read [DOCX, 6.3 MB]

Information about My Covid Record — Easy Read [PDF, 1.7 MB]

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.

Fully accessible vaccination centres

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.

Everyone has their own reason for getting vaccinated

Everyone has their own reason for getting vaccinated

The Manaakitanga journey online tool

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. We have created the Manaakitanga Journey online tool to help support disabled people to get vaccinated.

Other ideas and resources

Supporting someone with a disability to get vaccinated

If you are supporting someone with a disability to make a decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, you can use one of the supported decision making tools. 

Choose the guidance tool or combination of tools that best suits the person you are supporting.

Face masks

Even though face masks are mandatory in many places, we know that some people who have a disability may not be able to wear a face mask safely or comfortably. If you cannot wear one, you can get an exemption card. You can show your face mask exemption card when needed, for example to a bus driver.

You do not need to have a face mask exemption card, but you may feel more comfortable showing something official to confirm you cannot wear a face mask.

If you are having trouble communicating with someone who is wearing a face mask, you can ask them to remove it during your conversation.

If you cannot wear a face mask

If you cannot wear a face mask, you can get an exemption card. 

You can request a card from:

wheelchair user with face covering

Help and support

It is okay to be worried about COVID-19. If you feel like this, it is important to look after your mental health. 

  • Talking to someone can help your mental health. You can talk to someone that you trust like a friend, family member, carer, support worker or a doctor. 
  • Look after yourself by eating healthy food, getting a good night's sleep, or going out for exercise.
  • Stay connected with your whānau and friends. You can also keep in touch with them by phone, through social media or video calls.

Where you can get help

There are websites you can visit and phone lines you can call if you need help.

Check our the free services and resources available to you

Financial support

If your income has been affected by COVID-19, you may be able to get financial assistance.

Financial support for individuals and whānau

Access to healthcare

It is important that you continue to access the disability services you need. Talk to your care provider to find out if there any changes to how you access any services because of traffic light settings.

Information in alternate formats

Find information about COVID-19 in alternate formats:

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