Situation Update 

Booster Vaccinations: From 1 March 2023, a new Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent vaccine became available to New Zealanders as a booster dose. This will replace the existing Pfizer booster and is considered likely to be more effective against Omicron sub-variants than earlier vaccines. People who are not currently up to date with their boosters will be offered the new bivalent booster from 1 March 2023. Find out more on the Ministry of Health website. 

 From 1 April, an additional booster will be made available to:

• Anyone aged 30 and over who has completed a primary course, as long as it’s been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test.
• People at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who have completed a primary course, as long as it’s been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test.

Recent Updates

1. Tamariki aged 6 months to 4 years who are immunocompromised or have complex health conditions are now eligible for the paediatric Pfizer vaccine. For more details on eligibility and how to book visit the Unite against COVID-19 website.
2. From 13 February, you many need to pay for COVID-19 related visits to your healthcare provider.  Most people can recover at home due to high vaccination levels and widespread natural immunity.

1. If you are at higher risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19, you are still eligible for free health care from your doctor. Find our more here. 
2. You can contact your local pharmacist or your healthcare provider if you need to see someone.
3. If you require hospital level care, it remains free.
4. Testing and vaccination remains free. 

For advice and support call:

The information included in these tiles will be updated on a Monday each week (or Tuesday after a public holiday).  It is snapshot in time created by balancing the need to protect public health with the individual right to privacy. It does not necessarily reflect the level of risk in each community. We reserve the right to change the way this information is provided.

Remember free RAT (Rapid Antigen Tests) can be ordered online here: 

Managing COVID-19 Tips

Here are some COVID-friendly measures to protect you and your whānau:

Looking after yourself

For many people COVID-19 will feel like a mild to heavy cold and you're best to treat it in the same way.

• Rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Use remedies or over the counter medications to soothe your symptoms.

Visit this page for some helpful tips here for more info.

If your symptoms worsen and you are concerned about your health:

• Contact your GP or iwi health provider - 8am-5pm
• Contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 afterhours

If you or a family member have difficulty breathing, feel seriously unwell or unsafe call 111 immediately and tell them you have COVID-19.

Here's a handy video with tips on making yourself as comfortable as possible while you recover.

Here are some quick links to websites and materials to help you and your whānau navigate COVID-19 in your whare and your community.

Mental Wellbeing

Prepare:

• Prepare and stay safe - the latest health advice including checklists
  

Test:

• Where to get rapid antigen tests
• Recording your test result

Isolate:

• Managing your symptoms
• Symptom diary
• Create your household plan and testing timeline
• Instructions on using a pulse oximeter
• Recovering from COVID-19
• Long COVID

Vaccination

• All about COVID-19 vaccinations

Information and materials in other languages

Information and materials in alternative formats:

• Easy Read
• New Zealand Sign Language
• Audio description
• Large print and audio
• Braille

Look out for misinformation

Misinformation, scams and online harm about COVID-19 and the vaccine work against us at a time when we need to work together to beat the spread of the virus.