Covid-19 Vaccine Key Info
Vaccination key info
Find everything you need to know about the Covid-19 vaccine roll out here in Aotearoa and and our own hapori
Getting the right info about the COVID-19 vaccine is important so you can decide how to best protect yourself, your kaumaatua and whaanau from the effects of the virus. The vaccine is an important in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting the welfare and wellbeing of our hapori.
By deciding weather to have the vaccine or not, you’ll be playing your part in protecting your own whaanau and everyone around the motu and safeguard Aotearoa.
The way the vaccine works in your tinana
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.
Patara from Tainui Live talks with Turuki Healthcares Dr Lily Fraser about this kaupapa, maatakitaki mai!
Who can get the vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines are free and everyone in Aotearoa aged 16 and over is eligible. Find out who can get the vaccine and advice if you have a specific condition:
- Everyone in New Zealand can get a free vaccine
- If you’re under 16 years old
- If you’re over 65 years old
- If you’re pregnant
- If you’re breastfeeding
- If you’re trying for a baby
- If you have an underlying health condition
- If you’re on blood-thinning medication
- If you’ve had an allergic reaction to any vaccine
- If you’re also getting a flu or measles vaccine
When you can get the vaccine
From May 1, 2021: protect the people who are at risk of getting very sick from COVID-19
- These are aged our pakeke 65+ & people with underlying health conditions & disabilities as these factors mean they are way more likely to get very sick if they catch COVID-19.
- Adults in custodial settings, as international evidence has shown that COVID-19 can spread quickly between people in custodial settings
From June 1, 2021 = protect everyone
- Everyone in Aotearoa aged 16 and over.
- This is when everyone in Aotearoa has the opportunity to protect themselves, their whaanau & communities by getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
GAPS BETWEEN DIFFERENT VACCINATIONS
You’ll need to wait at least:
- 2 weeks between the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and influenza (flu) vaccine
- 4 weeks between the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine
SIDE EFFECTS
The Pfizer vaccine is what we have here in Aotearoa, and there is enough doses here in our country for everyone.
It’s important to remember that every vaccine produced for mass distribution has the potential for side effects. COVID-19 vaccines are not different, the Pfizer vaccine is of the most trialed and used vaccines in the world, no reira, the key is knowing what side effect COULD arrise, how to spot them and what to do about them.
Side effects, the reported adverse events and allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine:
- How to know if you have a side effect
- Known side effects
- Allergic reactions
- When you’re likely to experience a side effect
- Reported side effects in New Zealand
Patara from Tainui Live talks with Turuki Healthcares Dr Lily Fraser about this kaupapa, maatakitaki mai!
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