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Is the vaccine live?

No. There is no virus been injected into your body; you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The vaccine boosts immune memory by strengthening it.

Is the vaccine safe?

The vaccine is safe. The Pfizer vaccine has gone through months of rigorous clinical and scientific testing and assessments. The level of global collaboration in vaccine development has improved the speed of its development. The process is moving quickly but is not taking any short cuts or compromising safety.

Millions of people around the world of all different ages, gender and ethnicities have already received the vaccine with great results.

Is the vaccine effective against the current strains of COVID-19?

Yes. Studies show that the Pfizer vaccine is currently 90 to 95 percent effective in those who get it. Evidence has shown that the Pfizer vaccine gives you protection against Delta and other variants. If there is a new variant found, this type of vaccine can be changed quickly to match a new variant strain.

Can I breastfeed if I've had my vaccination?

The vaccine is safe for women who are breast feeding. There have been no safety concerns identified in the clinical trials for women who are breast feeding who have received the vaccine.

Why are people who are vaccinated getting COVID-19?

As with any vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine may not fully protect everyone who gets it. However, if you do catch COVID-19, two doses of the vaccine will give you a high degree of protection from serious illness. This means you could have no COVID-19 symptoms or will have fewer, much milder symptoms and will recover faster. You'll also be less likely to pass the virus on to other people.

2018

December

Vaccinations for year 7 and 8 students, notification of sexually transmitted infections, meningococcal disease, campylobacter

November

HPV vaccine, meningococcal disease, 2018 influenza season, notification of sexually transmitted infections, BCG vaccine

October

Cryptosporidiosis and campylobacteriosis, refugee and migrant health, mumps

September

Enteric diseases, exclusion and stool clearance criteria

August

Notification urgency, BCG vaccine, mumps

July

Mumps, pertussis, 201…

Public Health Bulletins For Health Professionals

Can I get vaccinated if I'm pregnant?

The Pfizer vaccine doesn't contain a live virus or any ingredients that are harmful to pregnant people or their babies. If you catch COVID-19 when you are pregnant, you are more likely to become very unwell so it's a good idea to get vaccinated.

The vaccine protects you as you are far less likely to fall seriously ill. It also protects your baby as there is evidence that babies can get antibodies through the placenta that help protect them from COVID-19.

Having the Pfizer vaccine wil…

COVID-19 vaccination information if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby

… for babies. Babies are five times more likely to be born prematurely and require neonatal intensive care. 
Data from the large number of pregnant people already vaccinated globally shows that there are no additional safety concerns with giving COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant people.
You can have your vaccination at any stage of your pregnancy.
Vaccinating during pregnancy may also help protect your baby as there is evidence that babies can get antibodies through the placenta that help protect the…

COVID-19 information for pregnant women and new mums Pregnancy and maternity Your health

2022 Influenza vaccine information

New Zealand’s 2022 flu vaccine will protect against four strains of flu virus – two influenza type A strains and two influenza type B strains:

A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus
B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus
B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus

The strains in bold are new for 2022.

Funded vaccines for those that meet the 2022 PHARMAC eligibility criteria
AFLURIA QUAD - for children and adults, aged from 3 years
AFLURIA QUAD JUNIOR - for children aged un…

Influenza in the Waikato Wellbeing in the Waikato Your health

Children who missed out when vaccine was unavailable

The Ministry of Health does not recommend a catch-up programme for older children who met the criteria over the period the vaccine was unavailable.
Parents or caregivers may request BCG vaccination for such children. These requests should be assessed on a case by case basis to ensure they meet the above criteria, and children under the age of one year should be prioritised.
If the child is aged 6 months or older they should have a pre-vaccination tuberculin skin test to detect whether they have…

BCG vaccination assessment form For Health Professionals