Exclusion from clinical trials, lack of data and inconsistent information made it difficult for pregnant and breastfeeding people to make decisions about COVID-19 vaccines early in the rollout.
Ongoing tracking is meant to spot very rare risks – like the connection between the Johnson & Johnson shot and Guillain-Barré syndrome. And it relies on public reporting.
People in Canterbury have been told to be patient as their vaccination is delayed by weeks, but regional disparities in the vaccine rollout are unacceptable as we face new COVID-19 variants.
Nicholas Steyn, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Michael Plank, University of Canterbury, and Shaun Hendy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
New Zealand will have to vaccinate 80-85% to reach population immunity. Until then, a blanket border re-opening, even if only for vaccinated people, would pose a high risk of new outbreaks.
New Zealand’s capital is on high alert after an Australian visitor tested positive on their return home. With less than 10% vaccinated, New Zealanders remain vulnerable to new outbreaks.
New Zealand’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 12-15 year olds will bring the number of people eligible for the jab to 85% of the population, raising the chance of reaching collective immunity.
Our attitudes and behaviours are shaped by what others in society do. So there’s a real danger that vaccine hesitancy, when reported widely in the media, could catch on to more people.
It’s OK to wait longer than three weeks between Pfizer doses, and this may even provide stronger protection. But this must be weighed against the risk of contracting COVID in the meantime.
Various companies use different ingredients and different delivery systems in their COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers are investigating whether it’s better for individuals to mix what’s available.