A: Vaccines are one of the ways we can fight the COVID-19 pandemic together and protect the welfare and wellbeing of our communities. Together we will #protectyourwhakapapa

A: COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to everyone in New Zealand. The initial roll-out will be for frontline staff plus border and MIQ worker as well as their household contacts (ie: people they live with). Frontline workers include those most at risk of exposure to COVID-19 on a daily basis.

A: Anyone pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood-thinning medications or have a bleeding disorder – please consult your GP first.

A: The COVID-19 vaccine is delivered in two doses – at two seperate times. The first you will re-ceive and the second will need to be administered three weeks later. You MUST get both doses for the full vaccination to be effective.

A: Anyone who usually lives with you, whether they are related to you or not. This includes peo-ple who live with you full time or part time and covers papakāinga as well.

A: They protect your health and prevent disease by working with your body’s natural defences so you are ready to fight the virus, if you are exposed.

A: By triggering your immune system to produce antibodies and blood cells that work against the COVID-19 virus. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is an important step you can take to protect yourself from the effects of the virus.

A: We don’t yet know if it will stop you from catching and passing on the virus. But once vac-cinated, continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by thoroughly washing and drying your hands, cough or sneeze into your elbow and stay home if you feel unwell. This will help you protect yourself, your whānau and others.

A: Yes and turn on your phone’s Bluetooth function. Continue to wear a face covering or mask if and where required.

A: Yes. The vaccine has not yet been proven to complete protect you from COVID-19. It is also too early for researchers to determine if a vaccinated person can still transmit the virus to someone else.

A: Medsafe only grants consent for a vaccine to be used in New Zealand once they are satisfied it’s safe and effective enough to use.

A: All COVID-19 vaccines will go through the same safety test and must meet the same robust standards.

A: This vaccine will not give you COVID-19. You’ll need two doses, at least three weeks apart. To ensure you have the best protection, make sure you get both doses of the vaccine.

A: A: If you can’t make your appointment, reschedule as soon as possible.

A: If you have had a severe or immediate allergic reaction to any vaccine or injection in the past, discuss this with your vaccinator.

• If you are on blood-thinning medications or have a bleeding disorder, let your vaccina-tor know. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please talk to your vaccinator, GP or midwife.
• If you are receiving the cancer drugs Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy, or Tecentriq, talk with your specialist about whether you should receive the vaccine.

We are not currently offering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone under 16 years of age until fur-ther data is available.

A: You’ll need to wait at least 20 minutes after your vaccination so medical staff can check you do not have a serious allergic reaction.

A: The most common are pain at the injection site, a headache and feeling tired or fatigued. Muscle aches, feeling generally unwell, chills, fever, joint pain and nausea may also occur. This shows that the vaccine is working.

Like all medicines, the vaccine may cause side effects in some people. These are common, are usually mild and don’t last long and won’t stop you from having the second dose or going about your daily life. Some side effects may temporarily affect your ability to drive or use machinery. Serious allergic reactions do occur but are extremely rare.

Vaccinators are trained to manage these. Further support and information If you experience symptoms that could be COVID-19 related, such as a new continuous cough, a high tempera-ture/fever or a loss or change in your normal sense of taste or smell, stay home and get a COVID-19 test.