Policy Statement on Covid-19 Immunisation
Updated 8/11/2021
This statement is fully supported by all the GPs currently working at Papamoa Pines Medical Centre.
Covid-19 immunisation is recommended to all patients at Papamoa Pines Medical Centre with the only exception being the very rare serious allergy to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or previous Covid-19 immunisation. There are certain medical conditions which we recommend extra care and conditions and these should be discussed with your own GP in an appointment.
We have an ethical and professional obligation to protect and promote the health of patients and the public, and to participate in broader based community health efforts.
Vaccination will play a critical role in protecting the health of the New Zealand public by reducing the community risk of acquiring and further transmitting COVID-19.
We respect an individual’s right to have their own opinions and make their own choices, but it is our view that there is no place for anti-vaccination messages by healthcare professionals, nor any promotion of anti-vaccination claims including on social media and advertising by any health practitioners as there is no evidence- based data to support that stance.
The risks of Covid-19 immunisation are both common and mild (e.g. fever, muscle pain or tiredness) or very rare (e.g. anaphylaxis is 5 per million, myocarditis and pericarditis is less than one in 25,000 in the highest risk group and you are 4 times more likely to get these conditions if you catch Covid-19).
Special considerations:
- Pregnant women are a priority group for COVID-19 vaccination, and should be routinely offered the Pfizer vaccine (Comirnaty) or Spikevax (Moderna) at any stage of pregnancy. Women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination. Global evidence has shown that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe for pregnant women. COVID-19 vaccination may provide indirect protection to babies by transferring antibodies through the placenta (for pregnant women) or through breastmilk (for breastfeeding women). Reference Statement by RANZCOG
- Those people with a history of true anaphylaxis or serious allergy should be vaccinated in a medical centre and have a period of observation of 30 minutes. Do not have allergy or venom immunotherapy within 48 hours of Covid-19 immunisation.
- Covid-19 is recommended in virtually all medical conditions but there are some conditions which require special consideration as well as the timing of immunisation and those people should see their GP. It is recommended you discuss with your GP if you have suffered inflammation of the heart or have very severe heart failure.
Comprehensive information about Comirnaty and Covid-19 immunisation in NZ can be found at:
Comirnaty | Immunisation Advisory Centre (immune.org.nz)
What you need to know about the Pfizer vaccine | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
The latest government information can be found at: COVID-19 vaccines | Ministry of Health NZ Information for employers and business: Vaccines and the workplace » Employment New Zealand
Further information of Covid-19 Immunisation in pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and breast feeding can be found at: RANZCOG - COVID-19 Vaccination Information
For those with allergy or anaphylaxis:
Update around management of those with allergic reaction to their first dose of Comirnaty or history of PEG allergy.pdf (immune.org.nz)
Exemption criteria:
As explained here the exemption information is provided by government policy.