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COVID-19 vaccination

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COVID-19 vaccination in Waikato

Our mobile vaccination clinics are offering free flu vaccines to everyone eligible, including children 3-12 years, MMR vaccinations to children aged 3-12 years (please take younger children to your GP), and COVID-19 vaccinations for 5+. Anyone can drop into a mobile vaccination clinic with the weekly schedule updated at Mobile Vaccination Clinics.

Bookings for COVID-19 vaccinations 5+ in Aotearoa New Zealand can be made through Book My Vaccine. Or by booking an appointment with the COVID Vaccination Healthline team on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).   

You can also get your vaccinations from participating pharmacies, GP practices or a community health provider.
We want to make it as easy as possible for you and your whānau to get protected.

Booster doses

You can get a free booster if you are aged 16 or over and have completed your primary course of the vaccine. For most people, the primary course is 2 doses.

If you are aged 16 or 17

You can get a Pfizer booster 6 months after completing your primary course.

If you are aged 18 or over

You can get a Pfizer or AstraZeneca booster 3 months after completing your primary course, or a Novavax booster 6 months after completing your primary course.

If you have had COVID-19

It is recommended you wait 3 months after testing positive before getting any COVID-19 vaccination.

Why you should get a booster

Current evidence shows your protection against infection after 2 doses slowly decreases over time. A booster dose will give you greater immunity against COVID-19, including Omicron.
Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick from COVID-19 and ending up in hospital. 

Second boosters for at-risk groups

A second booster is recommended for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If you are eligible, you should get it at least 6 months after a first booster.
The following people can receive a second booster as a priority:

  • people aged 65 and over
  • Māori and Pacific peoples aged 50 and over
  • residents of aged care and disability care facilities
  • severely immunocompromised people who received a 3-dose primary course and a fourth dose as a first booster (this would be a fifth dose for these people)
  • people aged 16 and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities
  • people aged 16 and over with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

Medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 | Ministry of Health(external link)

A second booster is also available for:

  • all people aged 50 and over
  • healthcare, aged care and disability workers aged 30 and over.

A second booster is not yet needed by younger people who are generally healthy and do not have underlying health conditions. This includes people who are currently healthy and pregnant.

If you are not considered at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, a 2-dose primary course and a booster dose provides very good protection against severe illness from COVID-19.

Anyone who is eligible for a second booster can get one without a prescription from our Mobile Vaccination Clinics, participating pharmacies, GP practices or a community health provider or booking online at Book My Vaccine. Or by booking an appointment with the COVID Vaccination Healthline team on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).       

COVID-19 vaccination and children

Parents and caregivers in the Waikato have the opportunity to protect their children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19 with the child version of the Pfizer vaccine. Young people aged 12 to 15 can get vaccinated now.

The COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years is a child specific vaccine. It's different to the adult version. It's only one third of the dose. 

In the Waikato there will be a variety of places, including GPs, pharmacies, community healthcare providers and our Te Whatu Ora - Waikato mobile vaccination clinics offering the child specific vaccine.  

COVID-19 generally has mild effects in children and is rarely severe or fatal. Children and young people who have COVID-19 will commonly have no symptoms or only mild respiratory symptoms, similar to a cold. However, some can become very sick and require hospitalisation. 

Learn more about the effects of COVID-19
Like adults, if your tamariki or rangatahi are infected with the COVID-19 virus they may transmit the virus to other people. The Ministry of Health recommends vaccinations for children and young people to keep them safe and help protect your whānau and community from COVID-19.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination for our tamariki. 

Which COVID-19 vaccine you will get

Pfizer is the preferred COVID-19 vaccine for use in New Zealand.
If you are 18 years of age or older and either cannot get the Pfizer vaccine or want a different option, you can get the AstraZeneca or Novavax vaccine.
You will be given the option to choose your vaccine type when you book. The AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines are not available at all vaccination sites.
Whichever vaccine you get, you will need 2 doses.

COVID-19 vaccines used in New Zealand

Novavax vaccine

Novavax is available from:

Pharmacy on Meade
Level 1, Meade Clinical Centre, Waikato Hospital
Bookings available on a Thursday between 9.30am and 1.30pm 

COVID-19 vaccination - your questions answered

For accurate and reliable information visit: COVID-19 website  

Talk to a health professional first if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • are receiving cancer treatment
  • have any other medical conditions or are taking other medicines.

When you arrive at your appointment a healthcare worker will talk you through what is going to happen.

They will do a health check with you and give you some information.
You will have time to ask any questions.

Let your vaccinator know if you:

  • have had a severe or immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injection in the past
  • are taking blood-thinning medication
  • have a bleeding disorder.

When you are happy, you will be asked to sign the consent form. You will only be vaccinated if you agree. Then the healthcare worker will inject the vaccine into your arm. You’ll need to stay for 15 minutes after to check you’re okay and they may ask you about side effects.

Once the healthcare worker says you’re fine, you can leave and carry on with your day.

You're second dose of the vaccine will be booked for six weeks later. You get your best protection against COVID-19 after two doses of the vaccine.

Bookings for COVID-19 vaccinations 5+ in Aotearoa New Zealand can be made through Book My Vaccine. Or by booking an appointment with the COVID Vaccination Healthline team on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).   

Anyone can drop into a mobile vaccination clinic with the weekly schedule updated at Mobile Vaccination Clinics.

They are now offering free flu vaccines to everyone eligible, including children 3-12 years, MMR vaccinations to anyone aged 3+ (please take younger children to your GP), and COVID-19 vaccinations for 5+.

You can also get your vaccination from participating pharmacies, GP practices or a community health provider.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you and your whānau to protect yourselves.

Community mobile vaccination clinics

Waikato DHB mobile vaccination clinics are run with our community health providers, and are offering the free flu vaccine to everyone eligible, including children 3-12 years, MMR vaccinations to anyone aged 3+ (please take younger children to your GP), and COVID-19 vaccinations for 5+.

Anyone can drop into a mobile vaccination clinic with the weekly schedule updated at Mobile Vaccination Clinics.

COVID-19 Community Vaccination Centres operating from July 2022

These are sites set up with our partners. They are open to everyone eligible for the vaccine. Walk-ins are available at most centres. To reserve a slot for a time, date and place that suits, book online at www.BookMyVaccine.nz or phone 0800 28 29 26. 

Clinics marked with ★ are taking 5-11 year olds.

# offering FREE flu vaccinations for those who are eligible
♦ offering MMR vaccinations for 3-plus for measles, mumps and rubella

★# ♦ Greenwood COVID-19 RATs collection/testing and vaccination centre
61-63 Greenwood Street, Frankton
Entry from 41-43 Bandon Street off Greenwood Street (next to Subway). If site is busy alternate route is from Killarney Road via Smith Street
Thursday to Sunday
Thursday and Friday: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Drive-thru: No bookings necessary.

★#♦ Tokoroa Whare Rongoā Āraimate Vaccination Centre
Bookings required for all age groups and specific vaccines
203 Leith Place, Tokoroa
9am - 4pm - Tuesday and Friday

★#♦ Tokoroa Whare Rongoā Āraimate Vaccination Centre (drive-through)
SWPICS, 1 Maraetai Road
Saturday - 10am - 3pm

GPs, pharmacies and other community healthcare providers

You can also get your COVID-19 5+, MMR 3+ and flu vaccinations from participating pharmacies, GP practices or a community health provider, and at many places there's no need to book. COVID-19 5+ vaccinations are free, and flu and MMR vaccines are free to those eligible.

Link to BookMyVaccine

When can I book my vaccination?

Bookings are now open for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand aged 12 and over. You don't need to wait for an invitation. 

Step 1: Be prepared

When you book, it’s a good idea to have your NHI (National Health Index) number handy. You don’t actually need it to book, but it will make the process quicker for you. You’ll find your NHI number on a prescription or prescription receipt, X-ray or test result, or a letter from the hospital.

Step 2: Make your booking

Bookings for COVID-19 vaccinations 5+ in Aotearoa New Zealand can be made through Book My Vaccine. Or by booking an appointment with the COVID Vaccination Healthline team on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).  

The recommended time between first and second dose is three weeks. If you’re aged 18+ you can get a booster 3 months after your second shot. If you’re aged 16 and 17 you can get a booster 6 months after your second dose.

Second boosters are now available for everyone aged 50+ and for priority groups including health workers aged 30+, and people aged 16+ with a disability or health condition that increases the risk of severe illness with COVID-19.

If you have had COVID-19 it is recommended you still get vaccinated, but that most people wait 3 months after testing positive before getting any COVID-19 vaccination.

You can drop into a mobile vaccination clinic at any time, they are now offering free flu vaccines to everyone eligible, including children 3-12 years, MMR vaccinations to anyone aged 3+ (please take younger children to your GP), and COVID-19 vaccinations for 5+.

You can also book your vaccinations from participating pharmacies, GP practices or a community health provider.  Many workplaces are also offering flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

For more information on COVID-19 visit Unite against Covid-19 or Karawhiua. To find out more about flu visit fightflu.co.nz

Go to measles, mumps and rubella for information on the MMR vaccine.

Step 3: Get your vaccination

We’ll send you a reminder the day before each appointment. It’s very important to get two doses of the vaccine – this will give you the best protection.

Everyone will have the opportunity to protect themselves, their whānau and our communities.

For more information, please visit the Unite Against Covid-19 website or the Karawhiua website.

Videos

Fact sheets

[PDF, 143 KB]

Getting your COVID-19 vaccination
Information about what to expect from your vaccination.
[PDF, 138 KB]

The Pfizer vaccine
How the vaccine works and where to go for more information about its development.

External resources