COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Groups 1 & 2

Started at the end of February

The roll out started with those most at risk of catching COVID-19 including people working at the border, health workers and those living in aged residential care facilities. The vast majority of people in these groups have now been offered vaccination.

Group 3

Started at the end of May

The next group includes:

• Older Māori and Pacific people, and the people they live with;
• All disabled people aged 16 or older;
• All people aged 65 or older;
• Anyone who is hapū (pregnant), and
• Several health conditions that put people at higher risk if they were to catch COVID-19 can also be vaccinated in this group.

View the list of health conditions eligible for Group 3

How to get the vaccine in Group 3

People in Group 3 will be vaccinated over the next few months. You do not need to do anything at the moment.

Everybody in Group 3 will be invited to book their vaccination appointment by the end of July.

When it is your turn to book your appointment, we will let you know. We will contact most people through their GP. This could be through a text message, your GP’s online system, by email, letter or phone call.

You could also be invited to book an appointment by a Māori or Pacific health provider, a community or faith leader, or from a disability organisation.

You will be able to get your vaccination at the clinic that is the most convenient to you – near your home or work.

If you do not have a local GP

If you do not currently have a GP, we will have an alternative method for you to organise your vaccination. More details will be available here once this is confirmed.

You can also find and enrol with your local GP through the Healthpoint website.

Find and enrol in your local GP

Group 4

Later in the year, everybody else in New Zealand aged 16 years or older will start being vaccinated.

This will take until the end of the year.

There will be a range of places where you will be able to get your COVID-19 vaccinations.

COVID-19 Vaccination

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe and effective. Everyone in New Zealand aged 16 or older can get vaccinated before the end of 2021, regardless of residency or citizenship status.

Two doses of the vaccine, at least three weeks apart, will protect you. We have ordered enough doses for everyone in the country.

Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast District Health Boards, working with our Primary Health Organisations, Māori and Pacific providers and disability partners are organising the vaccine rollout.

Ma tini, ma mano, ka rapa te whai. By joining together we will succeed

How the vaccine works

The vaccine works by teaching your immune system to recognize and fight off the virus. It doesn’t have the virus in it, or anything that can affect your DNA. The vaccine can’t give you the disease. The vaccine is safe
Medsafe are the Government organization that looks at all medicine before it used in New Zealand.

They make sure medicine is safe to use by looking at all of the research and information from around the world. Medsafe have assessed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and they have said that it is safe to use.

The vaccine is being rolled out in stages.

Everyone in New Zealand aged 16 or older is in one of four groups. Which group you are in decides when it will be your turn to be vaccinated.

Other vaccines and COVID-19

If you are having the flu vaccine, you need to either have it 2 weeks before your first dose, or 2 weeks after your second dose.

If you are having MMR or any other live vaccine, you will need to have it either 4 weeks before your first dose, or 2 weeks after your second dose.

For more information

The Vaccinate Greater Wellington website has the most up-to-date information on the local vaccine roll out.