From: Denise MacKay <Denise.MacKay@health.govt.nz> Sent: Tuesday, 25 May 2021 5:22 pm Subject: COVID-19 vaccination communications update: Clarity on underlying health conditions will give earlier access to more people in Groups 2 and 3 Kia ora, On behalf of the Ministry’s COVID-19 vaccination programme, I wanted to give you some information about some changes we will communicate to the public tomorrow. It’s important to ensure that people living in high-risk places and those most at risk of getting very sick if they get COVID-19 are given early access to the vaccine. The Ministry has recently provided clarity about underlying health conditions. This means more people in Group 2 in the Counties Manukau DHB area, and more people in Group 3 can now get earlier access to the vaccine. We will publish information for the general public about the expanded underlying health conditions on the Ministry of Health website and the Unite Against COVID website tomorrow (Wednesday 26 May). People may contact you seeking guidance, information or advice about the expanded health conditions, so we wanted to make sure you know what the list includes. In summary, people who meet one or more of the following criteria can now receive their COVID-19 vaccine as part of Group 2 (if in the Counties Manukau DHB area) and Group 3: • •
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they have a health condition that means they are eligible for a publicly-funded influenza vaccine including pregnant people they have been diagnosed with severe mental illness (which includes schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder, and adults currently accessing secondary and tertiary mental health and addiction services) they have poorly controlled or severe hypertension/high blood pressure (generally defined as requiring two or more medications for control or, not currently under adequate control) they are severely obese (defined as a BMI ≥40).
As always, clinicians may use their discretion around whether additional patients should be included in Group 2 (if in the Counties Manukau DHB area) or Group 3 if they are at a higher risk of poor health outcomes from getting COVID-19. Equity is a primary concern. Proof of diagnosis or condition is not required.