“Well-being, together | Waiora, tahi”
BOOSTERS
COVID-19 Second Booster for Maori and Pasifika Aged 40+
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health have announced that COVID-19 second boosters will be made available to all Māori and Pasifika aged 40 years and over from Friday 18 November 2022. Those eligible for a second booster will therefore include:
- Māori and Pasifika aged 40 years and over
- Everyone 50 years and over
- All residents of aged or disability residential care facilities
- Severely immunocompromised people who received a three-dose primary course and a fourth dose as a first booster (noting this would be a fifth dose for these people)
- People aged 16 years and over who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe breakthrough COVID-19 illness
- People aged 16 years and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities
- Healthcare workers 30 years and over
Further details are available here.
If you have respiratory symptoms (coughing, breathing problems, fever cold and flu symptoms or COVID-19 concerns please STAY AT HOME and telephone us.
During Levels 3 and 4 we have found that telephone consultations have worked well in many situations and we will continue to offer these when appropriate. Many of our patients have enjoyed the convenience and flexibility of telephone consultations. Please be aware normal charging applies to telephone consults.
Please sanitise your hands when entering the practice.
Everyone who enters the practice must wear a face mask unless you have a medical exemption to do so. If you are not able to wear a mask, we understand, please let our reception team know and we will make alternative steps to keep you safe and well while in the practice.
Please understand a face mask is a specific item, using your collar or neck of jersey is not sufficient and you will be asked to wear a face mask.
If you don’t have a face mask we will provide you with one.
Refusal to wear a face mask, unless due to medical exemption, will result in the cancellation of your appointment and you will be requested to leave the practice.
Thank you for working with us to achieve a safe practice – we are keen to continue to provide the highest standard of care that we can in these different times.
Prescriptions will NOT be available for collection from the practice; they will be sent directly to your pharmacy of choice.
If you are not on our patient portal, CONNECTMED, we strongly recommend registering for this – you are able to book online (telephone consultations during the red traffic light setting, order repeat prescriptions and see other information about your healthcare. Please discuss with our administration team.
If you have any concerns you can ring the COVID-19 Healthline, 0800 358 5453. Or you may wish to look at www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-mental-wellbeing.
IMPORTANT REMINDER – hand hygiene and cough hygiene critical during this time; please also close toilet lid before flushing.
What are the symptoms of COVID? Common symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to colds or influenza. A person may have one or more of the following symptoms
Common symptoms:
– new or worsening cough
– sneezing and runny nose
– fever
– temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste
– sore throat
– shortness of breath.
Less common symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
-diarrhoea
– headache
– muscle aches
– nausea
– vomiting
– malaise
– chest pain
– abdominal pain
– joint pain
– confusion/irritability
These almost always occur with one or more of the common symptoms.
The first line vaccine in the vaccination programme is the Pfizer vaccine (where there are no contraindications). The AstraZeneca vaccine will be available from 26th November as second line vaccine for consumers who meet the eligibility criteria.Consumers who are contraindicated to receive the Pfizer vaccine, OR
- Consumers who would prefer to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine and are currently under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021,OR
- Consumers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated and hesitant about receiving the Pfizer vaccine.
Initially, AstraZeneca will be available in Canterbury at the Orchard Road vaccination centre and the Christchurch Arena drive-through, on certain days/times. People will be able to book an appointment to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine from 26th November.
- Written consent will be required for all consumers receiving a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This requirement will be regularly reviewed.
- Consumers aged 18 to 59 years without contraindications and who prefer to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine are eligible after discussion with a qualified healthcare professional. A process for this is being developed.
- A prescription will be required – a process for this is being developed.
- The programme will assess demand across Canterbury and will look to increase access as required.
Ministry of Health guidance – AstraZeneca Vaccine Policy Statement Clinical Criteria and Guidance
