Recall of the Covid 19 vaccine: what you need to know

Through RNZ

Explanation – From the beginning of January, New Zealanders who have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine for at least four months can receive their booster dose.

The timing of the deployment had previously caused some confusion as to when people should go and how it all worked.

There is also a difference between booster doses and third primary doses.

What is the booster dose?

The Pfizer vaccine is used in New Zealand for boosters regardless of the vaccine used for previous doses.

The booster is different from the recommended third primary dose for immunocompromised people.

People eligible for a third primary dose can access a booster dose six months after receiving their third primary dose.

When can you get your booster?

In early December, the government announced that it would reduce the required interval between the second dose and the booster from six months to four months.

For people who are not afraid of going to a walk-in vaccination center, they can receive their booster dose from January 5. here.

For those who prefer to book, appointment slots will be available from January 17 through Book My Vaccine online.

As the roll-out with shortened intervals officially begins in early January 2022, people who have received their second injection in six months are encouraged to go immediately for their booster dose.

Others wishing to show up early before Jan.5 were urged to check with their local immunization provider to make sure they had appointments and materials available.

The Health Department said there were plenty of booster doses available and no one would miss them.

Other booking options

If you cannot book online, you can call the Covid-19 Vaccination Health Line on 0800 28 29 26 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week).

Interpretation services and NZ SMS, email and relay options for the deaf and hard of hearing are available if you need them through the 0800 number.

There is also a specialized team for people with disabilities (option 2 on the 0800 number).

You can also make an appointment with your doctor if they provide you with Covid-19 vaccines.

Who is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine booster?

Healthcare workers and border workers have been the priority for booster doses since large numbers of people in these industries received their primary doses at least six months ago.

When you arrive for your reminder, the date of your last dose will be checked in the reservation system to ensure that you have adhered to the required interval period.

People aged 12 and over have so far been able to take their main Covid-19 vaccination courses throughout 2021, but the booster dose will currently only be available to those aged 18 and over .

(For most people a primary course is two doses, for some people a main course may be three doses.)

If they took their full “primary school” while they were pregnant, the health ministry advises them to wait until their baby is born before taking a booster.

Those who have completed their full “primary school” before becoming pregnant must wait six months before taking the booster, the ministry said.

If they have been vaccinated against Covid-19 abroad, they can still receive the Pfizer booster once they have passed the required interval since their last dose.

Potential side effects of boosters

You may experience side effects with the booster similar to those from the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, according to the Department of Health.

These include muscle pain, pain at the injection site, headache, nausea, and feeling tired or tired. For most people, these effects tend to be mild and don’t last long.

Some side effects are more serious but very rare, such as a severe allergic reaction or inflammation of the heart (myocarditis).

An online form for reporting adverse events following vaccination with Covid-19 vaccines is now available.

If you develop breathing difficulties, fast heart rate, chest pain, or feel weak immediately or in the days following the vaccine, you should see a doctor.

If you are not sure about your symptoms or if they are getting worse, call Healthline: 0800 358 5453.

Vaccination orders and vaccination passes for booster shots

You do not need to have a reminder to be certified as “fully immunized” for My Vaccine Pass or an international travel vaccination certificate.

If you receive a booster dose, it will be added to your My Covid record and you can create another pass.

In early December, the government announced that Cabinet had agreed in principle that where workers are to be vaccinated, this mandate will now extend to booster doses.

Border and health officials will need to receive their booster dose by the end of January, or no later than six months after their second dose for people recently vaccinated.

It will then be extended to all others covered by vaccination mandates from March 1. These changes are expected to be confirmed this month.

How effective is the booster against Covid-19?

The Department of Health says data from Pfizer shows that a booster dose is 95.6% effective against the coronavirus, including the Delta variant, compared to those who did not receive a booster.

At this stage, no data are available on the duration of protection against infection and disease after a booster dose.

The ministry said current evidence shows that after six months of a full course of vaccination, protection against Covid-19 is reduced and that a “complementary” vaccine will therefore help build immunity to the virus.

“We already know that booster vaccinations dramatically increase an individual’s immunity, thereby reducing the spread and severity of Covid-19.

“Data is now emerging that booster doses from Pfizer offer better protection than two doses when it comes to the Omicron variant.”

The British Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has analyzed more than 600,000 confirmed and suspected cases of the Omicron variant through December 29 in England and found that a booster vaccine is 88% effective in preventing people from ending up in hospital with Covid-19.

The new data confirms that two doses of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines offer little protection against infection with Omicron.

Why has the time between the second dose and the booster been shortened?

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has said that soon, every case entering the New Zealand border is expected to be of the highly infectious variant of Omicron.

The government hopes that widespread administration of the Covid-19 vaccine booster will help prevent any potential massive outbreak of the variant and reduce the risk of transmission.

Chief Health Officer Dr Ashley Bloomfield said accelerating the deployment of the recall was a key part of the country’s response to Omicron.

“The shorter interval means more than 82% of vaccinated New Zealanders will be eligible for a booster by the end of February 2022.”