COVID-19 vaccine and disabled people

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The COVID-19 vaccine strategy sets out the Government's mission to ensure that New Zealand has access to safe and effective vaccines as early as possible.

Here are a few things you should know about the COVID-19 vaccination plan:

  • The COVID-19 vaccination will be free of charge.
  • It will not be mandatory for the New Zealand public. You can choose whether to get vaccinated.
  • Priority will most likely be given to border control and managed isolation quarantine workers and their close contacts (around April, May, June 2021).
  • The general public are expected to have access to the vax in the second half of 2021.

The Ministry has also set up a Vaccine Strategic Advisory Group consisting of external stakeholder representatives from across the health and disability sector. Disability is a population group that the Ministry considers a priority.

Disabled people, people with a chronic illness, staff in residential care, and carers of a disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill are all considered part of the phased vaccine roll-out across New Zealand. 

For more information, visit the Ministry of Health website or COVID19.govt.nz.

 

ENDS

Published 9 February 2021