Prioritising boosters As you know boosters are now available. While the priority is still getting people fully vaccinated, healthcare, border workers and kaumātua who have been fully vaccinated for six months or more can now get their boosters. You may have seen the Director General’s message confirming that “we’re particularly keen to make sure our healthcare and border workers – who are most at risk of coming in contact with COVID-19, and older people including kaumātua and those in residential care are aware that boosters are available … and that they’re eligible if they completed their course of Pfizer more than six months ago.” Potential side effects of AstraZeneca TTS is a rare but serious condition causing blood clots and bleeding that has been seen overseas in a small number of people who have had the AstraZeneca or Janssen vaccines. There is currently no evidence of an increased risk of thrombosis or TTS with the Pfizer vaccine. The information in these brochures explains the differences between thrombosis (blood clots) and TTS. These educational pieces also contain information on how to identify TTS and when to seek medical attention. Both brochures have been published on the Medsafe website. The consumer-facing brochure is published on the Ministry of Health website, alongside information about the AstraZeneca vaccine: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-health-advice/covid-19-getting-other-vaccines/covid-19-astrazenecavaccines AstraZeneca consent form There is a new AstraZeneca brochure and updated consent form. Please share these with your health networks. Both will be made available on the Bluestar portal. Text vaccination service launched The deaf and hard of hearing community can now text 8988 for access to vaccine information, for help booking a vaccination appointment, or to arrange transport to get vaccinated. The service, run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa on behalf of the Ministry of Health, is an addition to the COVID Vaccination Healthline dedicated phone and email support for disabled people and people living with impairments to get their COVID-19 vaccination. Please promote this service amongst your networks. A NZSL explanation is available on the Deaf Aotearoa website here or via Vimeo here. Key messages are below: To contact Whakarongau Healthline: ● ● ● ● ● ●
Call the COVID Vaccination Healthline Team on 0800 28 29 26 and ‘push 2.’ Use the new free text option - text 8988 Email the team at accessiblecovidvaccinations@whakarongorau.nz The Disability COVID Vaccination Healthline team is available between 8 am and 8 pm Monday to Friday. Healthline can book transport and other accommodations via Healthline. Alternatively, disabled people can use the NZ Relay Service to contact Health Line, which offers services for Deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired and deafblind people via: ○ www.nzrelay.co.nz ○ The NZ Relay App ○ The help desk is open 24/7 and can be reached via ● TTY: 0800 4 713 713 ● Voice: 0800 4 715 715 ● Fax 0800 4 329 697 or