COVID-19 Snapshot for all Fire and Emergency staff
Everyone in New Zealand, no matter citizenship or visa status, will be offered the vaccine against COVID-19 for free. There will be enough vaccine for the entire population to be vaccinated and no one will miss out.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is not compulsory to work at Fire and Emergency. Some overseas roles may require vaccination.
Everyone in New Zealand aged 16 and over will be able to be vaccinated by the end of 2021 – with vaccinations starting for the general population from 28 July. The estimated dates the Ministry of Health is looking to offer vaccinations to different age bands are indicated below.
People aged 60 and over 28 July
People aged 55 and over 11 August
People aged 45 and over Mid to late August
People aged 35 and over Mid to late September
People aged 16 and over October
You do not need to do anything at this stage. You will be contacted - either by email, text, phone call or post by the Ministry of Health - when it’s your turn to get vaccinated.
Only Fire and Emergency first and co responders are eligible to get vaccinated earlier through vaccination hubs provided by MedPro Healthcare and in some instances local District Health Boards. The decision to do this was made by the Ministry of Health, as first and co responders perform a medical response role.
At this stage, the Ministry of Health is not prioritising earlier vaccination, or making available the vaccination hubs, for any other Fire and Emergency staff or personnel. We are still having conversations with the Ministry of Health about this.
There is a Ministry of Health video on how the vaccine works here.(external link)
Anyone planning to travel overseas for personal reasons must have a plan in place with their manager for what would happen to their role should they get stuck overseas.
Useful websites for more information:
covid19.govt.nz(external link)