COVID-19 immunisations for children
Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to protect their tamariki aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19 with a child (paediatric) formulation of the Pfizer vaccine.
- The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children aged 5- to 11-year-olds in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
- Find a clinic below that is delivering COVID-19 immunisations for children.
- Tamariki need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected. It is recommended that these are given at least 8 weeks apart. The interval can be shortened to a minimum of 21 days if needed, for example if your child is starting significant immunosuppression treatment.
- A parent, caregiver or legal guardian will need to accompany your child to their appointment(s) as the responsible adult and provide consent for them to be immunised.
COVID-19 immunisations for children
Clinics for Canterbury
Please note the various clinics' start date for delivering COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 and over. More clinics are coming on board in the coming weeks. Go to BookMyVaccine.nz to make an appointment to avoid a potential wait or check if your usual health provider is listed below.
Clinic Name | Phone | Address | Location | Booking |
Akaroa Health Limited | 03 304 7004 | 2 Aylmers Valley Road | Akaroa | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Amberley Medical Centre | 03 314 8504 | 6 Hilton Drive, Amberley 7410 | Hurunui | Phone to book |
Amuri Community Health Centre | 03 315 6328 | 40 Wilkin Street, Rotherham | Hurunui | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Barrington Hub at Barrington Mall | 0800 28 29 26 | 256 Barrington Street, Spreydon | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Belfast North MEDIQUAL Doctors | 03 323 6789 | 3b 812 Main North Road, Belfast | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Riccarton Clinic – Brake Street | 0800 28 29 26 | 20 Brake Street, Upper Riccarton | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Burnside Medical Centre | 0800 28 29 26 | 368 Wairakei Road, Burnside | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Burwood Pharmacy | 0800 28 29 26 | 11 Parnwell Street, Burwwod | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Casebrook Surgery | 03 359 4549 | 1/118A Claridges Road, Casebrook | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Cashmere Health | 03 332 1351 | 91 Centaurus Road, Huntsbury | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Cheviot Community Health Centre | 03 319 8630 | 6 Robinson Street, Cheviot | Hurunui | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Doctors on Riccarton | 03 348 8989 | 183 Riccarton Road, Riccarton | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Durham Health | 0800 28 29 26 | 15 Durham Street, Rangiora | Rangiora | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Eastfield Health | 03 308 1212 | 135 Tancred Street, Ashburton | Ashburton | Phone to book |
Etu Pasifika | 0800 38 84 34 | 31 Tuam Street, Christchurch Central City | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Ferry Road Medical | 03 381 0551 | 276 Ferry Road, Phillipstown | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Halswell Health | 0800 28 29 26 | 53 Caulfield Avenue, Halswell | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Hanmer Springs Health Centre | 03 315 7503 | 59 Jacks Pass Road, Hanmer Springs | Hurunui | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Hardings Chemist and Post | 0800 28 29 26 | 135 Colombo Street, Sydenham | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Healthworks Pharmacy | 0800 28 29 26 | 108 Memorial Avenue, Burnside | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Hei Hei Health Centre | 03 344 3274 | 18 Wycola Avenue, Hei Hei | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Hei Hei Pharmacy | 03 344 2440 | Hei Hei Pharmacy | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Inspire Health Medical Practice | 0800 28 29 26 | 1 Filly Place, Yaldhurst | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Kaikōura Healthcare | 03 319 3501 | 25 Deal Street, Kaikoura | Kaikoura | Phone to book |
Kaiapoi Family Doctors | 03 327 7474 | 42 Charles Street, Kaiapoi | Waimakariri | Phone to book |
Kendal Medical Centre | 03 358 8266 | 66 Kendal Avenue, Burnside | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Ki te Tihi Hapori Hauora at Eastgate | 0800 28 29 26 | Eastgate Mall, 20 Buckley Road Linwood | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Leeston Medical Centre | 0800 28 29 26 | 59 High Street, Leeston | Selwyn | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Life Pharmacy Ashburton | 0800 28 29 26 | 262 East Street, Ashburton | Ashburton | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Life Pharmacy Rangiora | 0800 28 29 26 | 172-176 High Street, Rangiora | Waimakariri | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Local Doctors Eastcare Health | 03 388 8800 | 283 Breezes Rd, Aranui | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Lyttelton Pharmacy & Post Centre | 0800 28 29 26 | 19 London Street, Lyttelton | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Main North Road Medical | 03 352 6152 | 102 Main North Road Papanui | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Mansfield Health Practice | 03 355 2344 | 206A Papanui Road, Merivale | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Māui Clinic @ South City | 0800 28 29 26 | Shop 15, 555 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Moore Street Medical Centre | 03 308 3066 | 254 Moore Street, Ashburton | Ashburton | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Ngā Hau e Whā Marae | 0800 28 29 26 | 250 Pages Road, Wainoni | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Normans Road Surgery | 03 355 8262 | 3 Normans Road, Strowan | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
North Avon Medical Centre | 03 389 6655 | 30 North Avon Road, Richmond | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Oxford Community Health Centre | 03 312 4195 | 39 Park Avenue, Oxford | Waimakariri | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Pegasus Medical Centre | 03 920 4060 | 52 Pegasus Main Street, Pegasus | Waimakariri | Phone to book |
Pharmacy Xtra | 0800 28 29 26 | Cnr Madras Street & Moorhouse Ave | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Rakaia Medical Centre | 03 303 5002 | 30 Elizabeth Street, Rakaia | Rakaia | Phone to book |
Rangiora Life Pharmacy | 0800 28 29 26 | 172-176 High Street, Rangiora | Waimakariri | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Riccarton Medical Practice | 03 348 8711 | 59 Division Street, Riccarton | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Selwyn Village Healthcare | 03 351 5336 | 314 Selwyn Street, Spreydon | Christchurch | Phone to book |
Shirley Medical Centre | 03 385 3149 | 11 Marshland Road, Shirley | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
St Albans Medical Centre | 03 355 9119 | 250 Springfield Road, St Albans | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Straven Medical | 03 348 5749 | 12 Straven Road, Riccarton | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Sumner Health Centre | 03 326 6288 | 35 Nayland Street, Sumner | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Te Aranga Community Health | 03 599 9120 | 56 Portsmouth Street, Aranui | Christchurch | Phone to book |
The Christchurch Doctors | 03 366 3391 | 124 Hereford Street | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
The Doctors Christchurch South | 03 332 0108 | 163 Colombo Street, Sydenham | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
The Maui Clinic @ The Hub Hornby | 0800 28 29 26 | Shop 104, 418 Main South Road, Hornby, Christchurch 8042 | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Travis Medical Centre | 03 388 9686 | 225 Travis Road, North New Brighton | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Unichem Bealey Ave | 0800 28 29 26 | 212 Bealey Avenue | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Unichem Brighton Village Pharmacy | 0800 28 29 26 | 183 Shaw Avenue, New Brighton | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Unichem Crisps Pharmacy | 0800 28 29 26 | 283 Wairakei Road, Bryndwr | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Unichem Medical Corner Pharmacy | 0800 28 29 26 | 237 High Street, Rangiora | Rangiora | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Unichem Rolleston Central Pharmacy | 0800 28 29 26 | 9 Masefield Drive, Rolleston | Selwyn | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Unichem Wigram Pharmacy | 0800 28 29 26 | 102 The Runway, Wigram | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Village Health Lincoln Road | 0800 28 29 26 | 30 Lincoln Road, Spreydon | Christchurch | BookMyVaccine.nz |
Waikari Health Centre | 03 314 4506 | 100 Prince Street, Waikari | Hurunui | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Waimairi Road Medical Centre | 03 358 5535 | 215 Waimairi Road, Ilam | Christchurch | Vaccinating enrolled patients only |
Last updated: 28 March 2022
Clinics for West Coast
Not all vaccinations sites will offer COVID-19 immunisations for children.
Find a clinic on the West Coast delivering immunisations for children aged 5 to 11
FAQs
Why should tamariki aged 5-11 get vaccinated?
Getting immunised against COVID-19 provides an extra layer of protection for tamariki.
Immunisation is an important way we keep tamariki safe, like being sun smart or wearing a seatbelt.
It protects your tamariki from many serious diseases and stops disease spreading within your whānau and the community. In Aotearoa, children get free vaccinations against 12 diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), measles and polio.
Is it safe for tamariki aged 5-11 to get the COVID-19 immunisation?
The Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds has been through clinical trials with tamariki in this age group. In general, the side effects that were reported were mild, didn’t last long, and were similar to side effects from other routine vaccines.
The vaccine is recommended for tamariki with food allergies. Unlike some other vaccines, there is no food, gelatin or latex in the Pfizer vaccine.
The only reason that someone may not be able to have this vaccine due to allergy is if they have had a severe allergic response (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the Pfizer vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine. The child (paediatric) Pfizer vaccine has gone through the same rigorous approval process as other routine childhood vaccines. No clinical trials were skipped and no corners were cut in the testing of its safety.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Medsafe has granted provisional approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old. Medsafe only grants approval for a vaccine or medicine once it is satisfied that it has met internationally-agreed criteria for quality, safety and efficacy.
Cabinet has now approved the decision to use the paediatric vaccine for this cohort following advice from the Ministry of Health with guidance from the COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG). A group of New Zealand paediatricians including leading Māori and Pacific clinicians were consulted by CV-TAG to prepare this guidance.
The FDA in the United States and the TGA in Australia have also granted provisional approval or emergency use authorisation for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds. The vaccine is currently being rolled out in the United States to this age group.
Is there a difference in how the vaccine is administered for tamariki?
The vaccine used for tamariki is a children’s version of the Pfizer vaccine, with a lower dose and smaller volume. Tamariki aged 5-11 will receive about a third of the dose offered to those 12 and older – 10 micrograms compared to the 30 micrograms that adults and teens receive.
Tamariki need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected. It is recommended that these are given at least 8 weeks apart. The interval can be shortened to a minimum of 21 days if needed, for example if your child is starting significant immunosuppression treatment.
The smaller dosing is given with smaller needles to make it easier for vaccinators to administer the vaccine to younger kids.
Preparing your tamariki for vaccination
- Provide encouragement to help your tamariki feel relaxed
- Make sure they have had something to eat and drink
- Check they’re wearing clothes that make it easy to see and access their upper arm.
If they’re a little nervous, they’re welcome to take something to the appointment that will distract them, like a soft toy or phone.
If your tamariki have had previous reactions to immunisations, let your vaccinator know, speak to your whānau doctor prior to the appointment, or talk to a trained advisor on the COVID Vaccination Healthline – 0800 28 29 26.
Consent
A parent, caregiver or legal guardian will need to accompany your child to their appointment(s) as the responsible adult and provide consent for them to be immunised.
At the appointment both the adult and child can ask as many questions as they like.
Side effects
As with any immunisation, your child is likely to have a sore arm and get redness, pain or swelling at the injection site. Other reactions that can occur, usually within one or two days, include:
- headache
- a fever (feeling hot)
- nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, diarrhoea
- fatigue
- general discomfort (feeling unwell, aches and pains).
These are common and show that the vaccine is working. Encouraging rest and offering plenty of fluids will help.
Severe reactions to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are very rare and usually occur straight away after the vaccination. For this reason, you and your child will be put in an observation area for monitoring by clinical staff to ensure they receive any medical treatment if this occurs.
Signs of severe allergic reaction can include:
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face and throat
- a fast heartbeat
- a bad rash all over the body
- dizziness and weakness
If you notice your child experiencing any of these symptoms let clinical staff know immediately. If you are not at a vaccination site call 111.
Myocarditis and pericarditis are very rare but serious side effects of the Pfizer vaccine. In the clinical trials no cases were seen in children aged 5 to 11 years old, however it is important to be aware of the symptoms for all ages who are vaccinated. If your child has any of the following symptoms in the days or weeks after being vaccinated, get medical help right away.
Symptoms of myocarditis and pericarditis:
- discomfort, heaviness, tightness or pain in their chest
- difficulty breathing
- feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart
- feeling faint, light-headed or dizzy
Tamariki with disabilities
The disability team is available Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm. They will support your whānau and can book an immunisation appointment for you. They can answer any questions you may have about your child’s needs including accessibility, free transport options, or any effects the vaccine may have on your child.
- Call: 0800 28 29 26 and push 2
- Free text: 8988
- Email: accessiblecovidvaccinations@whakarongorau.nz
More information
For more information and links to research, visit health.govt.nz/CovidVaccineKids, Karawhiua, Ministry for Pacific Peoples and https://covid19.govt.nz/
Have questions about the vaccine? Talk to a trained advisor on the COVID Vaccination Healthline – 0800 28 29 26 – between 8am–8pm, 7 days a week.
Resources for parents, caregivers and clinics
Poster – COVID-19 immunisation clinic for children (book at reception) (PDF, 273KB)
Poster – COVID-19 immunisation clinic for children (BookMyVaccine) (PDF, 273 KB)
Poster – Not yet a COVID-19 immunisation clinic for children (PDF, 111 KB)
Information sheet - After your child's vaccination (PDF, 261 KB)
Information brochure - COVID-19 vaccines protecting your tamariki (PDF, 647 KB)
Activity sheet for tamariki - Colouring in (PDF, 346 KB)
Activity sheet for tamariki - Crack the code (PDF, 192 KB)
Activity sheet for tamariki - Colour in and maze (PDF, 371 KB)
Activity sheet - MoH Colouring in (PDF, 475 KB)
Information brochure - COVID-19 vaccines protecting your tamariki (PDF, 647 KB)
Activity booklet - Let’s kōrero about COVID-19 and immunisations (PDF, 3.40 MB)
Information sheet - After your child's vaccination (PDF, 261 KB)
Activity sheet for tamariki - Colouring in (PDF, 346 KB)
Activity sheet for tamariki - Crack the code (PDF, 192 KB)
Activity sheet for tamariki - Colour in and maze (PDF, 371 KB)