COVID 19

Kia ora to the Aotearoa Down syndrome community

The NZDSA National Committee and the team at National office hope that you and your whānau are adapting to the latest Covid 19 restrictions and we hope you are taking care of each other. Our thoughts are with you and we want you to know that the NZDSA National office team members continue to work remotely and we are able to provide you with information and support. You can contact the NZDSA on 0800 693 724 or [email protected]

We will be collating information that we feel might be useful for you so keep checking. If you find information that you think will benefit other families, then please email [email protected]

General information

https://covid19.govt.nz/

Important information for disabled people and their whañau

12 –15-year-olds can be vaccinated with their family

Young people aged 12–15 will be able to join parents or caregivers getting their vaccination, making it easier for families to get vaccinated together.

Medsafe gave provisional approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for 12–15-year-olds in New Zealand in June. The government has now approved the vaccine for use for 12–15-year-olds.

From Friday 20 August, as parents or guardians become eligible to book their vaccine, they can also book any 12–15-year-olds in their family or whānau.

People who already have a booking may be able to add to an existing booking or make an additional booking for their 12-15-year-old.

There are several ways young people aged 12–15 and their family or whānau can get their vaccine, including:

at a community vaccination hub
at a GP or community pharmacy offering the vaccine
at other community-based sites such as faith-based locations or marae.

At this stage, the COVID-19 vaccine will not be available to children through their school-based vaccination programme.

To make or change a booking:

go to BookMyVaccine.nz
phone the COVID Vaccination Healthline 0800 28 29 26, (8am-8pm, 7 days a week).

If you’ve already booked directly with your GP or pharmacy, talk to them about adding family members.

NZDSA Covid-19 Vaccine Sessions

If you missed the highly informative sessions on the 29th August and September 8th you can watch the recording and access links to additional resources here:

29th August Session – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tNLdE4gdcE

September 8th Session – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JWPCbDdq7U