Come visit our new drive through unit. Mangere Town Centre.
Why getting vaccinated is important
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is an important step you can take to protect yourself, your kaumātua and whānau from the effects of the virus. It’s one way we can fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the welfare and wellbeing of our communities.
By having the vaccine you’ll be playing your part to protect Aotearoa. The free COVID-19 vaccine will help protect the team of five million, and safeguard Aotearoa. It will save lives.
Gaps between different vaccinations
If you’re also getting a flu or measles vaccine, you’ll need to wait at least:
- 2 weeks between the COVID-19 vaccine and influenza (flu) vaccine
- 4 weeks between the COVID-19 vaccine and the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (if you get the MMR vaccine first)
- 2 weeks between the COVID-19 vaccine and the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (if you get the COVID-19 vaccine first)
How the vaccine works
Vaccines work by teaching the body’s immune system to respond quickly to infection without being exposed to the infection itself.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is known as a ‘messenger RNA’ vaccine. These vaccines don’t use virus cells at all – instead, they contain a piece of RNA code that essentially teaches your body to recognise the virus. It can respond straight away if you get infected.
The vaccine won’t give you COVID-19 or affect your DNA
It 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.
In this section
COVID-19 vaccines are free and everyone in New Zealand aged 16 and over is eligible. Find out who can get the vaccine and advice if you have a specific condition. Read more
Our vaccine rollout plan aims to protect Aotearoa. Everyone in the country aged 16 and over, falls into one of four groups. Find out when you may get the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more
If you need to travel overseas from New Zealand, you can apply for an early COVID-19 vaccine on compassionate grounds or for reasons of national significance. Read more
Find out how to book a vaccination appointment. What to expect on the day, how your COVID-19 vaccine is given and keeping a record of your vaccine. Read more
Find out about the side effects and what to do if you have any concerns after your COVID-19 vaccine. How to get your second dose and how long you’re protected. Read more
As part of our COVID-19 vaccine programme, we need to collect some of your details. Find out what we record, where it’s kept, who can access it and more. Read more
