Dear member / clinic,

The deadline for mandatory booster vaccination has been extended by ten days to 24/2/22 – please see below for details.

With best wishes,

David Gollogly, Jasmine Mackay, Richard Chen, Kelvin Ward
Pandemic Response Subcommittee
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Additional time has been agreed to for Health and Disability workers to receive their booster vaccination under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order (Vaccinations Order).

Changes came into force at 11:59 pm, Monday 14 February 2022. Amendments to the order have changed the current mandated date for health and disability workers to receive their booster vaccinations, if eligible, from 11.59pm on Monday 14 February to 11:59pm Thursday 24 February 2022.

A copy of the order can be found here: COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order (No 2) 2022 (SL 2022/15) – New Zealand Legislation

These new dates will also apply to any workers covered by the health mandated dates because of the work they undertake in Corrections, FENZ, Defence, Education and Police. International evidence shows that booster doses provide good protection against Omicron, and by achieving high levels of booster protection we will be able to reduce the spread and severity of Omicron when it arrives.

All other mandated booster vaccinations dates contained within the Vaccinations Order remain:
  • Border and MIQ workforces, if eligible for a booster, are required to have this by 15 February 2022 this includes any workers covered by this mandated dates because of the work they undertake from Defence and Police
  • Affected educational services, Corrections (custodial staff), Police (Non-sworn employees who work in educational settings), if eligible for a booster, are required to have this by 1 March 2022
Further information can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website; https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-response-planning/covid-19-mandatory-vaccinations

The Vaccinations Order mandates that a booster dose is required by six months (183 days) from the end of the primary vaccination course. If the mandated date of your booster dose for your workforce falls before the date your vaccine booster shot is due (which is six months after completion of your primary course), you are not required to get your booster until you reach the six-month threshold.

However, you are able to receive a vaccine booster shot from three months after the completion of your primary vaccine course and we recommend you take the opportunity for an earlier dose, rather than wait the full six months.

You must be 18 years or older to receive a booster dose. If you have people who work for you, who are under 18 years old and have had their primary vaccination course, they are able to continue to work.

Although the Vaccinations Order requires a booster dose six months after the primary course of vaccines, we would like to encourage all employers to support staff to get their booster vaccinations at three months (if clinically appropriate).

Anyone who has had their second vaccination three months ago are able to have their booster from now. Details on how to book an appointment can be found here: https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/how-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccination/getting-your-booster-dose/

We thank all New Zealanders who have already arranged and received their boosters.