Booster eligibility extension An extension of eligibility for a second COVID-19 booster to Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40-49 – available from Friday 18 November – was announced last week. Please see the following communications that have gone out or are going to go out over the next few weeks: •
• • • •
Direct communications - 55k Māori and Pacific people aged 40-49 who met the eligibility criteria for a second booster were sent an email or SMS on 18 November. The content of the communication was to inform them of the change in eligibility of second boosters following last week’s announcement, advising why second boosters are important; and should they wish to, how to book and get vaccinated. Individuals were directed to pharmacies, local Māori or Pacific health providers, and vaccination centres to have their second booster. They were also provided details to call Healthline for information and to book. Following the email / SMS campaign, outreach calls commenced from Monday 21 November, with the automated journeys (email / SMS) being extended shortly – system-generated email/SMS messages delivered automatically when an individual becomes eligible. Targeted radio advertising went live from Monday 21 November (focussed on iwi and Pacific radio stations). This is in market till end of next week. Updated print collateral is in production and will be available on Dropbox once ready. The interactive digital tools on the Unite Against COVID-19 and Karawhiua websites is now live. This interactive eligibility checker that consumers can use can be found at: Check your eligibility. The updated Ministry of Health website reflecting this change is found here: COVID-19 vaccine: Boosters | Ministry of Health NZ