Vaccine Accessibility

Disabled Persons Assembly NZ -

Everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand aged 12 and over can book their free COVID-19 vaccination now.

Questions and Answers

Changing Minds have put out a brochure that outlines questions and answers Tāngata whai i te ora, tāngata mātau ā-wheako and their whānau as well as people working in mental health and addiction services, have about the Covid-19 vaccination.

It includes information about additives and allergens, and interactions with other medications or substances such as antipsychotic, alcohol and other drugs, opioid substitution medications, diabetes or blood pressure medications, immune-suppressant medications and cancer treatments.

Download Covid-19 Vaccination Questions and Answers (PDF)

Booking a vaccine

There are several options for where you can get vaccinated including at a vaccination centre, a local GP, a pharmacy, an accessible vaccination event, or in some areas there are mobile vaccination units.

You can book your vaccination online, or by calling the COVID Vaccine Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.

Accessibility

If you have accessibility needs, you can call the COVID Vaccine Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 to discuss what options are available in your area. There are several accessible vaccination events being set up for people who need more time, a low sensory/low noise environment, a space away from the general public, or New Zealand Sign Language or other language interpreters.

  • In the Greater Wellington Region (3DHB area - Capital Coast Health, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa) there are several accessible vaccination events scheduled, see the Vaccinate Greater Wellington website, or contact their Covid Accessibility Team: phone 0800 829 935, text only 027 281 5017 or email covidaxaccessibility@ccdhb.org.nz. (Open Monday to Friday 8am-4.30)
  • In the Midcentral DHB area there are low sensory/low noise environment events. Midcentral use the word Takiwātanga which is is an indigenous term that demonstrates an inclusive understanding of individual needs; it means in his/her/their own time. To find out about these events contact covacc@midcentral.govt.nz.

If you none of the options are available to you, please let us know, email info@dpa.org.nz with "Vaccine Accessibility" in the subject line.

Walk-in and Drive-through centres

There are several walk-in and drive-through vaccination centres where you can go to be vaccinated without having to make a booking.

Papakura Marae has a drive-through vaccination initiative for disabled whanau and those with mental health concerns. The clinic is open 9am - 3pm Monday to Friday at 29 Hunua Rd, Papakura, Auckland. You just:

  1. Fill up your car with whanau including your disabled whanau and you will all get vaccinated.
  2. You don’t have to book. Try to be there by 2 pm latest so you can be processed.
  3. Just turn up. Bring the whanau.
  4. Tell the security guard that you have disabled whanau in the car and they will direct you

Support worker vaccination

Disabled people who receive support in their own homes are entitled to confirm and ask for evidence that a support worker has been vaccinated. If this information is refused, the person has the right to manage access to their home and refuse support from an individual who does not meet those requirements.

You can contact your local NASC for further information regarding the availability of alternative support.  

MBIE has updated information here: Vaccines and the workplace » Employment New Zealand