COVID-19 Immunisation Programme

NIP Dropbox with downloadable COVID-19 resources and forms for health care professionals can be found here.

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The COVID-19 vaccination programme provides all those living in Aotearoa New Zealand with the best protection against the worst outcomes of the COVID-19 disease.

The vaccination programme has evolved over the past few years, with three different versions of Pfizer's mRNA vaccine, Comirnaty, now used for most people as a primary course and additional doses, if required.

The Pfizer vaccines are the only Medsafe-approved and funded vaccines available for use in Aotearoa New Zealand. Pharmac have previously funded a Novavax vaccine for COVID-19. However, in July 2024 Novavax decided to withdraw its application for approval of its latest vaccine. Therefore, the Novavax vaccine, Nuvaxovid, is currently unavailable in New Zealand.

New Zealand introduced the latest variant vaccine - LP.8.1 - for paediatric doses between December 2025 and March 2026.

LP.8.1 replaces the previous JN.1 variant vaccine.

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Available vaccines

Comirnaty 30mcg vaccine (12+ years)

Everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand over the age of 12 years who is not yet vaccinated can receive a single dose of the monovalent Comirnaty Omicron 30mcg vaccine, whether they are eligible for funded health and disability services or not. 

Additional doses are also available to those who are eligible, using this same vaccine. For more information see the IMAC Comirnaty 30mcg factsheet. Also see the Health New Zealand COVID-19 vaccines webpage, and the  Immunisation Handbook for more information.

For more information see the Comirnaty 30mcg vaccine webpage

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Comirnaty 10mcg blue cap vaccine (5 to 11 years)

Comirnaty 10mcg blue cap vaccine is available for children aged 5 to 11 years and is a lower dose and smaller volume than the grey cap vaccines. It is a single dose vaccine.

For more information see the Comirnaty 10mcg webpage.

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Comirnaty 3mcg yellow cap vaccine (6 months to 4 years)

Comirnaty 3mcg yellow cap vaccine is limited to young children aged between 6 months and 4 years of age who are at highest risk of severe infection if they were to catch COVID-19, such as those with severe immunocompromise or with complex and/or multiple health conditions.

For more information see the Comirnaty 3mcg webpage.

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Who will benefit most from COVID-19 vaccination in 2026?

Those who will benefit most from these new vaccines are listed below. These groups are recommended to receive regular additional doses, although the vaccine is available to anyone aged 30 years and over who wishes to receive it (a minimum of 6 months after their previous dose).

Those who are recommended to have ongoing COVID-19 vaccinations and likely to most benefit from them:

• people who are severely immunocompromised
• those with underlying health conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes
• older adults (particularly frail adults).

NOTE: People aged 75 years and over: This age group has the highest rate of COVID-19-associated hospital admission and death – the risk of death is almost halved for those who have had a dose in the previous 6 months, compared with those whose most recent dose was more than a year ago.

For further information, see our new factsheet - 'COVID-19 vaccination - updated recommendations for 2026'

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New COVID-19 vaccine - FAQs for health professionals

Do I need to wait for the 12-month or 6-month interval before receiving the new COVID-19 vaccine?

If you haven’t had the new variant LP.8.1 vaccine, you can have it if you are 30 years or older and it has been 6 months or more since your last vaccination.

What is the eligibility criteria?

The eligibility criteria is set out in the Pharmac Schedule here.

Recommendations for those at high risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and who would benefit most from additional doses can be found in our new factsheet - 'COVID-19 vaccination recommendations - updated guidance for 2026'

Can the new variant vaccine be given earlier than 6 months after my last dose?

In most cases this wouldn’t be recommended, however clinical discretion can be applied when considering vaccination given less than 6 months after a previous dose. A shorter spacing of at least 3 months may be appropriate for those considered at high-risk of severe disease from COVID-19 re-infection - e.g., those aged 75 years or older. Spacing of at least 6 months is preferred.

What if I've had a recent COVID-19 infection?

Healthy, previously vaccinated people under the age of 50 who have had a COVID-19 infection are unlikely to require a further vaccination for at least 12 months after infection. However, some people do not know they have had COVID-19, so it is generally advised for individuals at increased risk of severe disease to receive recommended doses regardless of recent COVID-19 infection - when no longer acutely unwell.

Can I have a COVID-19 vaccine even if I don't meet the eligibility criteria?

A private market Comirnaty 30mcg vaccine is on its way. We will update you with more details soon for those who don’t meet current eligibility criteria.  

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IMAC COVID-19 factsheets

Up-to-date COVID-19 factsheets can be found on the right-hand side of each specific vaccine page, or within our factsheet resources section.  

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‍COVID-19 disease
View our information and guidance here.

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‍NIP Dropbox with downloadable COVID-19 resources and forms

National Immunisation Programme COVID-19 resources/forms for health care professionals can be found here.

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On behalf of Te Whatu Ora, IMAC provides education and training courses for those administering COVID-19 vaccines or otherwise contributing to the programme. The course selection will depend upon the scope of your role.

Different roles and pathways
View information on the different roles in the immunisation workforce here.

COVID-19 programme-specific courses
View IMAC's COVID-19 courses here.

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