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Unsure whether you are at high risk
for severe COVID-19?

KNOW if you are at high risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. 
Be ready with a PLAN. And, if you test positive, GO and act fast.
Call your healthcare provider to check if antiviral treatment is right for you.

TAKE THE QUIZ
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Know

Know if you’re at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19 so you can be prepared if you test positive.1

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Plan

Make a plan with your pharmacist, GP or hauora provider before COVID-19 strikes. If you are at high risk you may be eligible for PAXLOVID ® (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir), a COVID-19 antiviral treatment you can take at home.1

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Go

Tested positive for COVID-19? It's time to call your healthcare provider and put your plan into action.

If eligible, PAXLOVID is fully funded.2

Take action
Know

It begins with learning if you have a high-risk factor.

In New Zealand, more than 1 million people are at high risk of severe COVID-19.3,4

It’s important to know if you’re at higher risk of COVID-19 making you very sick, ending up in hospital or even dying – so you can take action if you test positive.

There are a number of factors that can put you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including if you:1

  • Are older
  • Have certain ongoing medical conditions
  • Are of Māori or Pasifika ethnicity
  • Are
    unvaccinated

Having high-risk factors can cause your mild COVID-19 symptoms to quickly become severe.5  For the full list of people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 please visit here or speak to your pharmacist, GP or hauora provider.

Are you at high risk of severe COVID-19?

Take the quiz to find out.

What is your age?

Advanced age can put you at increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
Your data will not be stored.

Do you identify as Māori or Pasifika?
Have you had at least two COVID-19 vaccinations?
Do you live with any of the following conditions?

Tick all that apply.

Do you have a weakened immune system?

Some conditions or medications may affect your immune system and may put you at an increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

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Find out if you’re eligible for a booster dose here or speak to your healthcare provider.

Remember that even if you have had COVID-19, it is still recommended that you get any booster doses you are eligible for. 

Having the COVID-19 infection does not provide the same level of immunity as getting vaccinated.7

COVID-19 vaccine boosters

One of the most effective ways to protect you, your whānau and community from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and have the booster doses you are eligible for.6,7

There are a number of factors that can put you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including if you:1

  • Are older
  • Have certain ongoing medical conditions
  • Are of Māori or Pacific ethnicity
  • Are
    unvaccinated

Boosters provide an extra layer of protection to your previous vaccination and keep your immunity levels high. This will lower your chance of getting very sick from COVID-19 infection and ending up in hospital. The booster vaccine targets both the original COVID-19 virus and newer variants.7

Booster dose is now available for:

  • A booster dose for severely immunocompromised children aged 12-15 years if a healthcare provider recommends it.7

  • A single booster dose for anyone 16-29 years old.* An extra booster dose is available for those at higher risk of severe illness, and/or including those who are pregnant.7

  • Regardless of how many boosters you have had, a booster dose is available for anyone ≥30 years† and especially recommended for those at higher risk of severe illness, and/or including those who are pregnant.7 

*If it has been ≥6 months since your first two COVID-19 vaccinations or positive COVID-19 test.7
†If you have had your first two COVID-19 vaccinations and it has been ≥6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccination or positive COVID-19 test.7Based on government recommendation, May 2023. For the most up to date information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine booster visit www.covid19.govt.nz
  • Have questions about the COVID-19 booster vaccine? 
    Click here to view the Consumer Medicine Information. 
  • Have other questions about vaccines? 
    Click here to view
    ‘Vaccines; The Facts’ educational short videos that may help. 
Check the date of your last vaccination at My Covid Record or call 0800 28 29 26.
Plan

Prepare ahead in case COVID-19 strikes.

As soon as you know that you or a loved one are at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19, it’s time to make a plan.

Making a plan before testing positive for COVID-19 is important – especially if you’re at high risk, and even if you’re vaccinated against COVID-19 and have had all the booster doses you're eligible for.1

Being prepared includes getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with any COVID-19 booster doses, as well as talking with your pharmacist, GP or hauora provider about whether you can get the antiviral treatment PAXLOVID if you test positive for COVID-19. Having a plan in place can help you act fast when every day counts.

Let’s get your plan in order

This form acts as a handy health checklist. Fill it out now and discuss with your healthcare provider to determine whether you might be able to get PAXLOVID in case you test positive for COVID-19. 

Fill out the health
checklist Loading

Find your local vaccination centre or pharmacy here

Booking your booster

There are a number of factors that can put you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including if you:1

  • Are older
  • Have certain ongoing medical conditions
  • Are of Māori or Pacific ethnicity
  • Are
    unvaccinated

Staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 booster doses is an important step towards preparing your body for a COVID-19 infection as the risk of hospitalisation is greater in those who haven’t had their booster doses.6-8 You can speak with your healthcare provider about whether you’re eligible for a booster or book an appointment here.

Other things to do to prepare

Make sure you have enough masks on hand.

Have enough RAT home testing kits and know how to get more.

Stock up on hand sanitiser, gloves, and basic medical supplies (e.g. pain relief medicines, a thermometer, nasal spray, lozenges).

Share your plan with your loved ones so everyone knows what steps to take if you test positive.

Make sure you have a supply of any regular medications you take.

Keep an up-to-date list of any medications you take, including vitamins and supplements, and be ready to share with your healthcare provider.

Have someone you can ask who can pick up items you may need during your isolation period.

Many pharmacists are specially trained and able to provide PAXLOVID without a prescription. Find a pharmacy and make a plan.

 Pharmacy locator Loading COVID-19 antiviral medicines

COVID-19 antivirals can reduce how long you are sick for and how sick you may get with the COVID-19 infection.9  PAXLOVID is an antiviral used to help treat COVID-19 in adults who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, may end up in hospital, or even die. PAXLOVID must be started as soon as possible within 5 days after COVID-19 symptoms start.10

If you think you or a family or whānau member are at high risk and may be eligible for PAXLOVID talk to your healthcare provider now so they can determine if PAXLOVID is right for you.

Download further information:
PAXLOVID Consumer Medicine Information Loading
Go

Tested positive for COVID-19? It’s time for action!

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, even if they’re mild, don’t wait. Being at high risk means timing is everything since symptoms can quickly become severe.5

With your COVID-19 plan in place, you can act quickly by calling your pharmacist, GP or hauora provider and, if appropriate, starting PAXLOVID.

PAXLOVID can be taken at home and must be started within 5 days of your first symptoms to reduce the risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. This can help reduce your risk of a hospital admission or dying from COVID-19 by up to 86%.10 If eligible, PAXLOVID is fully funded.2


Remember you can find pharmacies offering PAXLOVID here.

 Download further information:
PAXLOVID Consumer Medicine Information Loading

PAXLOVID® (nirmatrelvir 150 mg/ritonavir 100 mg) film-coated tablets 
PAXLOVID is a prescription medicine for treatment of COVID-19 in adults who are at increased risk of progression to hospitalisation or death. PAXLOVID has risks and benefits. Use strictly as directed. Ask your doctor if PAXLOVID is right for you. Do not take PAXLOVID: if you are allergic to nirmatrelvir and/or ritonavir or any of the ingredients; with certain other medicines that may cause serious or life-threatening side effects or affect how PAXLOVID works; if you have or have had severely reduced liver or kidney function. Use with caution with other medicines; pre-existing liver or kidney diseases or problems; pregnancy; lactation; PAXLOVID contains lactose. Possible side effects include vomiting; diarrhoea; headache; high blood pressure; aching muscle, muscle tenderness or weakness not due to exercise; changes in taste or a metallic taste in the mouth; severe allergic reaction; signs and/or symptoms of allergic reaction include rash, itch, development of hives, swelling of the face (or of the tongue, lips, eyes, throat), feeling breathless, light-headed or dizzy, feeling unwell, nausea, abdominal pain, raw, painful and/or peeling of the skin, blisters, sore throat or mouth, or fever. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. V10423.

PAXLOVID is a fully funded medicine – restrictions apply. Normal doctor’s fees may apply dependent on access criteria eligibility.
The COVID-19 booster is a fully funded, prescription medicine. All medicines have risks and benefits. Speak to your healthcare professional to see if the booster is right for you.

Further product information and Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) can be obtained from www.medsafe.govt.nz, Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Auckland,www.pfizermedicalinformation.co.nz or phone 0800 736 363. PAXLOVID® is a registered trademark.

References: 1. Unite against COVID-19. People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Available at: https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/people-at-higher-risk-of-severe-illness-from-covid-19/#who-is-at-risk-ofsevere-illnessfrom-covid-19. (Accessed September 2023). 2. Te Whatu Ora. Free antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19. Available at: https://covid19.health.nz/advice/i-have-covid-19/medicines-treat-covid- 19#how-to-get-antivirals (Accessed September 2023). 3. Pharmac. Pharmac widens access criteria for COVID-19 antiviral treatment. Available at https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/news/2022-07-14-media-release-pharmac-widens-access-for-covid-19-antiviral-treatments/?page=2. (Accessed September 2023). 4. Pharmac. Pharmac simplifies criteria for COVID-19 antiviral treatments. Available at: https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/news/2022-09-12-media-release-pharmac-simplifies-criteria-for-covid-19-antiviral-treatments/. (Accessed September 2023). 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Available at: https://www. covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/overview/clinical-spectrum/ (Accessed September 2023). 6. Unite against COVID-19. Prepare & stay safe. Available at: https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/protect-yourself-and-others-from-covid-19/ (Accessed September 2023). 7. Unite against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Available at: https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-boosters/ (Accessed September 2023). 8. Havers FP, et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2022;182(10):1071-1081. 9. Unite against COVID-19. Medicines to treat COVID-19. Available at: https://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-isolation/if-you-have-covid-19/medicines-to-treat-covid-19/ (Accessed September 2023). 10. PAXLOVID® New Zealand Data Sheet. 

This website is intended for New Zealand residents only.

© 2023 Pfizer New Zealand Limited. Auckland. All rights reserved. Medical Information: 0800 736 363 or visit pfizermedicalinformation.co.nz PP-PAX-NZL-0246. 09/23. TAPS NP19862. DA2341TT.

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