Get the facts

You can find the most accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 and the vaccine from several trusted sources.

Where to get trusted information

You can find the most accurate and reliable information about the COVID-19 vaccine from a number of trusted sources, including:

Unite against COVID-19

Find answers to all your vaccine questions, including how safe it is and what side effects you might get, and watch videos about vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccine facts and advice

Ministry of Health

Check out the health advice for you about COVID-19, vaccines, testing, how to take care of yourself and much more.

COVID-19: Health advice for the public | Ministry of Health (external link)

Karawhiua

Find trusted information for you and your whānau on Karawhiua. It is a campaign to help whānau, hapū, iwi, and Māori communities make an informed choice about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Karawhiua (external link)

Ministry for Pacific Peoples

When you get vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself but also your aiga, friends, churches and community. Watch videos to find out about the vaccination journey and how COVID-19 vaccines work.

COVID-19 information | Ministry for Pacific Peoples (external link)

Immunisation Advisory Centre

The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) provides New Zealanders with a local source of independent, factual information based on international and New Zealand scientific research regarding vaccine-preventable diseases and the benefits and risks of immunisation.

Immunisation Advisory Centre (external link)

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable.

World Health Organization (external link)

Talking about false and misleading information with others

You may need to engage with someone or a group who are spreading false and misleading information within your community or online.

It is easy to feel compelled to go and directly confront them. This is not the ideal approach and it may not always be obvious to them what information is not true or factual.

Here are some tips on how you might address the situation:

  • Check if the information is false. You can do this by going to reliable sources above. 
  • Acknowledge their concerns and fears.
  • Do not mock them for having fears or vaccine concerns.
  • Decide if it is best to engage directly. It may be best to send them a message or talk to them privately about what they have said. If they have posted on social media and are getting a lot of interest you may want to report it to the platform. You have the option to remain anonymous.
  • Try to find areas you can both agree on. If the person you are engaging with gets defensive and you feel that it is no longer constructive, it may be best not to proceed.
  • Share accurate resources. If we share accurate, verified information we might encourage others too.

Download printed guidance for responding to false information.

Guidance for responding to false information [PDF, 759 KB]

What is misinformation and online harm?

There is misinformation, scams and online harm about COVID-19 and vaccines in many places. Find out what they mean.

Take care what you share

Just because a post looks good does not mean it is reliable information. Check before you share.

Report false or misleading information

If you see content that you believe to be false or misleading you can report it.

What is misinformation?

Follow our whānau as they visit a museum to see an exhibition called 'A Brief History of Misinformation'.

As they explore the displays, they find out what an infodemic is, learn how to talk with those close friends and family affected by misinformation, as well as how to deal with misinformation on social media.

Watch video

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