Appendix One
Getting your COVID-19
vaccine:
Released
what to expect
Vaccines are one of the ways we can fight the
COVID-19 pandemic and protect the welfare
and wellbeing of our communities.
under
Protection
Safety
COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to
Medsafe only grants consent for a vaccine to be
everyone in New Zealand.
used in New Zealand once they are satisfied it’s
the
safe and effective enough to use. All COVID-19
Vaccines protect your health and prevent disease
vaccines will go through the same safety test and
by working with your body’s natural defences so
must meet the same robust standards.
you are ready to fight the virus, if you are exposed.
Official
The COVID-19 vaccine works by triggering your
Pfizer vaccine
immune system to produce antibodies and blood
This vaccine will not give you COVID-19. You’ll
cells that work against the COVID-19 virus.
need two doses, three weeks apart. To ensure
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is an important step
you have the best protection, make sure you get
you can take to protect yourself from the effects
both doses of the vaccine. If you can’t make your
Information
of the virus. However, we don’t yet know if it will
appointment, reschedule as soon as possible.
stop you from catching and passing on the virus.
Things to consider before getting
Once you’ve been vaccinated, continue to take
precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
your vaccine
Thoroughly wash and dry your hands. Cough or
If you have had a severe or immediate allergic
sneeze into your elbow and stay home if you feel
reaction to any vaccine or injection in the past,
unwell. This will help you protect yourself, your
please discuss this with your vaccinator.
whānau and others.
If you are on blood-thinning medications or have
Continue using the COVID tracer app, turn on
a bleeding disorder, please let your vaccinator
Act
your phone’s Bluetooth function, and you may
know.
wish to wear a face covering or mask.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please talk
to your vaccinator, GP or midwife.
1982
HP7557 | 15 February 2021
Appendix One
If you are receiving the cancer drugs Keytruda,
Opdivo, Yervoy, or Tecentriq, talk with your
Further support and information
specialist about whether you should receive the
vaccine.
If you experience symptoms that could be
COVID-19 related, such as a new continuous
We are not currently offering the Pfizer vaccine
cough, a high temperature/fever or a loss or
Released
to those under 16 years of age until further data is
change in your normal sense of taste or smell,
available.
stay home and get a COVID-19 test.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get a test and
If you are unsure about your symptoms or if they
stay at home until you get your results. You can be
get worse, call Healthline on
0800 358 5453.
vaccinated once you have a negative test.
If you have an immediate concern about your
What happens after my
safety, call
111, and make sure you tell them
you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccination so that they
vaccine?
can assess you properly.
under
You’ll need to wait 30 minutes after your
vaccination so medical staff can check you do
www.health.govt.nz/covid-vaccine
not have a serious allergic reaction.
Potential side effects the
The most common reported reactions are pain at
the injection site, a headache and feeling tired or
fatigued.
Official
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
Information
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. Our vaccinators are trained to
manage these.
Act 1982
Appendix One
After your immunisation
Like all medicines, the vaccine may cause side effects in some people. This is
Released
the body’s normal response and shows the vaccine is working. Side effects are
usually mild, don’t last long and won’t stop you from having the second dose or
going about your daily life.
What you may feel
What can help
When this could start
under
Pain at the injection site, a
Place a cold, wet cloth, or ice
Within 6 to 24 hours
headache and feeling tired
pack on the injection site for a
and fatigued. These are the
short time.
most commonly reported side
effects.
Do not rub or massage the
injection site.
the
Muscle aches, feeling generally
Rest and drink plenty of fluids
Within 6 to 48 hours
unwell, chills, fever, joint pain
Official
and nausea may also occur.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen
can be taken, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Seek advice from your health
professional if your symptoms
worsen.
Information
Serious allergic reactions can occur but are
You can also report any unexpected reactions
extremely rare. New Zealand vaccinators are
direct by emailing CARM or using their online
trained to manage these. Some side effects
reporting form on the CARM website
may temporarily affect the ability to drive or use
otago.ac.nz/carm.
machinery. In the unlikely event this happens,
please discuss it with your employer.
If you are unsure about your symptoms or they
get worse, talk to your GP or call Healthline on
If you experience symptoms that could be
0800 358 5453.
Act
COVID-19 related, such as new continuous cough,
a high temperature/fever, or a loss of or change
If you have an immediate concern about your
in your normal sense of taste or smell, stay home
safety, call 111 and make sure you tell them you’ve
and get a COVID-19 test.
had a COVID-19 vaccination so that they can
1982
assess you properly.
If you have an unexpected reaction to your
COVID-19 vaccination, your vaccinator or health
professional should report it to the Centre for
Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM).
HP7558 | 16 February 2021
Appendix One
COVID-19 vaccination
consent form - border/MIQ worker
This form is to be used for Tier 1a only
Released
Patient
Surname ………………………………………………................. First name ……………………………………………...................
Phone ………………………………………………
Date of birth ……… / ……… / ……… NHI ……………………………..
Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………................
Medical Centre/GP .............................................................................................
under
Guardian
Name of guardian (if applicable) ………………………………………………………………………………
Guardian’s relationship to patient ………………………………………………
the
Please let the vaccinator know:
• If you are unwell
Official
• If you’ve had a previous severe allergic reaction to any vaccine or injection in the past
• If you’re on blood-thinning medications or have a bleeding disorder
• If you’ve had any vaccines in the past four weeks
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• If you are currently receiving the cancer drugs Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy, or Tecentriq or have done
Information
so in the past six months
I have read the COVID-19 information pamphlet on “What to Expect”, and/or have had explained to me
information about the COVID-19 vaccine.
I have had a chance to ask questions and they were answered to my satisfaction.
I believe I understand the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccination.
I understand it is my choice to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
Act
Signature ………………………………………………………………. Date ……… / ……… / ………
1982
I also consent to share with my employer, that I have been given the COVID-19 vaccine.
Signature ………………………………………………………………. Date ……… / ……… / ………
HP7565 | 19 February 2021
Appendix One
Information for Vaccinator
Details confirmed
Released
Positive answer to any screening questions? Yes No
Record information and advice given:
Informed consent obtained? Yes No
Date ……… / ……… / ……. Time ………...............
under
If deferred, declined or not medical fit for vaccine record detail .............................................
................................................................................................................................................................................
the
Vaccine
Diluent
Name of vaccine
Date
Time
Dose
Site
Batch
Expiry
Batch
Expiry
Time of
reconstitution
Official
Pfizer/BioNTech
0.3ml
COVID-19
Vaccine
Dose 1
Dose 2
Information
Post vaccination information given
Signature of vaccinator ……………………………….......
Name of vaccinator …………………………………………..
Observation area information
Act
Signature ………………………………………………………………
Details of any AEFI or observations recorded
Departure time ………...............
CARM Report completed
1982
Appendix One
Released
Privacy
All the information you provide today will be
under
used to help run the COVID-19 vaccination
programme. Information from the consent form
and details of each immunisation given or turned
down will be recorded by the Ministry of Health in
the COVID-19 Immunisation Register.
the
This information will be treated with care
to ensure the Ministry of Health meets its
obligations under the Privacy Act 2020 and the
Official
Health Information Privacy Code 2020.
The information collected as part of the
Sharing information with employers
vaccination process may be used for:
Your employer may request confirmation of you
• managing your health
receiving a vaccine. They should email
COVID-19.
Information
• keeping you and others safe
[email address] to request access.
• planning and funding health services
Further information
• carrying out authorised research
• training health care professionals
For more information about how the Ministry
of Health protects your information, visit the
• preparing and publishing statistics
Ministry website at
health.govt.nz/covid-
• improving government services.
vaccine-privacy or email
COVID-19.privacy@
health.govt.nz
Act
Some information, such as information about
reactions to the vaccine, will be shared with other
organisations who provide health services such
1982
as the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring.
HP7568 | 19 February 2021
Document Outline
