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COVID-19 Vaccination

The COVID-19 Vaccination is currently being rolled out across Aotearoa. Getting the vaccination is an important step you can take to protect yourself, your kaumātua and whānau from the effects of the virus.

We're here to help.

In order for the programme to be successful, the Ministry of Health has advised that it’s important to vaccinate as many people as possible. The more people who are vaccinated, the closer we move our population towards immunity.

Of course, we expect everyone to have a lot of questions!

At Tāmaki Health, we want to make sure our patients and communities feel safe and reassured, and have the information needed to make decisions for their health.

You can find all of the information on the COVID-19 Vaccination you need, below.

When can you get your vaccination?

Right now!

Everyone aged 12 and over can book or walk-in for their COVID-19 vaccination. You can be vaccinated at any time, and the Ministry of Health has ordered more than enough Pfizer vaccines for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand aged 12 and over to be able to be vaccinated by the end of the year.

Proof of Vaccination Requests

If you would like a proof of vaccination letter to confirm your (or your whanau) vaccination status for an employer, travel or other reasons, these are supplied by the Ministry of Health directly, not your GP.

To apply for proof of vaccination online, click here.

Vaccination Exemption Requests

If you would like to apply for an exemption or exception from mandatory vaccination, this must be applied for directly with the Ministry of Health, via your GP.

A member of the public cannot apply for an exemption request.

If the criteria are met and your GP applies on your behalf, the Minister for COVID-19 Response will then decide if an exception should be granted.

Please check the criteria that need to be met in order to be granted an exception or exemption. Read the full list of criteria before applying, here.

Vaccination Certificates

Vaccination Certificates will come into effect at the end of November.

There will be two different vaccination certificates – one for use within New Zealand and one for international travel. Your international certificate will have more personal information so it can be used alongside your passport. The certificates will include a QR code which you'll be able to print or save on your smartphone in your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.

We recommend signing up to My COVID Record now, as this is where you'll be able to access and download your records.

Latest Updates

- Vaccinations are now available for everyone aged 12 and over.

- To book, visit Book My Vaccine or simply walk into a vaccination clinic.

- Booster shots are now available for those over 18, if it has been six months since your second dose.

COVID-19 Vaccination Centres

If you haven’t already been COVID-19 vaccinated, or are due for your second vaccination, please visit one of our Walk-In Vaccination Clinics.

Walk-In Clinics & Hours

  • Airport Oaks Local Doctors: 8am - 4pm every day

  • Dawson Road Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • East Tamaki Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Stoddard Road Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Otara Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Seddon Medical Centre: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Browns Road Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Glendene Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Glen Innes Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Wai Health Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Mangere Town Centre Local Doctors: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • Westgate Medical Centre: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

  • One Health: weekdays 9.00am - 2.30pm, weekends CLOSED

FAQs

We've heard from our communities that there are a lot of unanswered questions around the COVID-19 Vaccination. We want to make sure you feel safe and certain about your decision to get vaccinated, so we've answered as many as possible below - and we'll keep updating as we know more.

    • The COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine has been provisionally approved Medsafe, New Zealand’s own medicines safety authority

  • No. COVID-19 vaccinations can only be given at specific Vaccination Hubs.

  • Vaccines work by teaching the body’s immune system to respond quickly to infection without being exposed to the infection itself.

    This means that the vaccine doesn’t actually use the virus cells at all.

    Instead, the vaccine contains a messenger RNA code (messenger ribonucleic acid: a single-stranded molecule that carries genetic code) that essentially teaches your body to recognise the virus, and helps your body to be ready to respond straight away if you’re infected with COVID-19.

    The vaccination will not give you COVID-19 and it will not affect your DNA or genes. It does not contain any live virus, or dead or deactivated virus.

    More information on the Pfizer vaccine, here.

  • Global scientists and governments have been working together and sharing data to improve the speed of vaccine development and clinical trials. There has never been this level of collaboration globally, which has meant we’ve been able to fast-track the process.

    We’re also continuing to receive data from large clinical trials thanks to innovative technology, which allows us to monitor the safety of vaccines. This has meant that safety approvals that used to take a long time have happened faster.

    You can read more on the Pfizer vaccine here.

  • Like all medicines, the vaccine may cause side effects in some people. Usually, these are mild and only last for a few days. They won’t stop you from having the second dose or going about your day as usual.

    The most common reactions are:

    • pain at the injection site
    • a headache
    • feeling tired or fatigued
    • muscle aches
    • feeling generally unwell
    • chills
    • fever
    • joint pain
    • nausea

    Some side effects may temporarily affect your ability to drive or use machinery. Serious reactions are very rare.

  • The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for everyone in New Zealand, 16 years and older.

    If you’re under 16 years old

    Limited data is available for this age group as they weren’t part of the clinical trials, so for now, vaccines are only available for over-16’s.

    If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding

    Pregnant women are at risk of becoming very sick if they contract COVID-19. For this reason, they’re a high priority to get vaccinated and can get early access.

    If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to have a baby, you should discuss your situation and the benefits and risks of receiving the vaccine with your midwife or doctor.

    The Immunisation Advisory Board has also created a useful information sheet for pregnant people which you can read, here.

    If you’re receiving cancer treatment

    You should get advice from your specialist if you’re receiving these cancer therapies:

    • Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
    • Nivolumab (Opdivo)
    • Ipilimumab (Yervoy)
    • Atezolizumab (Tecentriq)

    If you’re not sure whether the vaccination is right for you, we encourage you to visit your GP or specialist and discuss your specific situation before making a decision.

  • You will need two doses in total to get the best protection against COVID-19. You will be asked to get your second dose of the vaccine at least 3 weeks.

    • A two-week gap is recommended between any non-live vaccine, including influenza vaccine, and the COVID-19 vaccine
    • A four-week gap is recommended for MMR or any other live vaccines

  • The vaccination is given as an injection into the muscle of your upper arm. You’ll need two doses in total.

  • Yes! The vaccine is free for anyone in New Zealand, regardless of your immigration or citizenship status.

  • Many people take medication that suppresses their immune system, especially for the treatment of cancer, severe asthma, autoimmune diseases or following organ transplantation, or have medical conditions that can affect the immune system, such as HIV infection or kidney failure.

    These conditions put you at increased risk from COVID-19, and although you may not respond as strongly to the vaccine as someone with a fully functioning immune system, it is safe for you received COVID-19 vaccine and it will provide some protection against COVID-19, particularly against severe and life-threatening disease.

  • Our nurses and team will be right there with you to answer any further questions you might have. We encourage you to ask if you’re not sure, and let us know if there’s anything further we can do to make sure you feel safe and supported.

Want more information?

You can read more about the COVID-19 Vaccination at the following official and verified sources:

Ministry of Health NZ | Manatū Hauora

MEDSAFE | New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority

New Zealand Government | Unite Against COVID-19

DHBs