COVID-19 Vaccination – Your Questions Answered
Information for Tāngata Mātau ā-wheako – people with personal experience of mental distress and/or addiction.
Recently it was announced that tāngata whai ora (particularly, those with lived experience who are currently using secondary mental health and addiction services) are now included in Group 3 for the COVID-19 vaccination. This means that provided you meet the criteria, you may now have access to the vaccination in your local area.
It’s important to us that we support our tāngata whai ora to make an informed choice, so earlier in March this year we created an anonymous survey. In this survey we asked what questions you had or what you’d like to know, to help you decide if the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you. As promised, we shared your responses with our partners at Equally Well, who made recommendations to the Ministry of Health’s policy team planning the vaccination rollout.
As a result of your questions, their response to yours and other people’s questions have been included in an FAQ which you can read in full detail here. This information is based on current understanding and evidence and is also available on the Ministry of Health, COVID-19, and Immunisation Advisory Centre websites.
It’s important to note the vaccine is not compulsory, so not everyone will choose to have one. Please contact your GP if you have any questions or concerns, or you can call or text 1737 if you need to talk.
We have included the most common questions and answers below. You can also click here to download and read more of the responses to the questions we received from the Changing Minds whānau.
What are the likely side effects?
The most commonly known side effects include pain in the area where you will receive the injection, headache, feeling feverish, flu-ish, and nausea.
These usually last for a couple of days after vaccination. The side effects are caused by our immune systems preparing to protect ourselves from future infection.
Not everyone will get side effects after the vaccine. Serious reactions such as allergic reactions are very rare.
Some people may have more side effects or feel a little worse after their second vaccination dose.
Will it affect my medication?
Tāngata whai ora should check with their doctor or pharmacist if they are unsure if any medicines, substances, vitamins or supplements they are taking will affect, or be affected by, the vaccine.
No medications prevent you from having a COVID-19 vaccination, but you might like to discuss the timing of your appointment with your doctor.
Is there a way I could receive the vaccine from someone I trust in a setting I'm familiar with?
Where and when tāngata whai ora are offered the vaccine will depend on where and who provides vaccinations in their area – you can check with your GP, local DHB website and/or caseworker if you have one.
You can also your trusted health provider if they have been trained to give the vaccination and if not, ask them where you can go to get the vaccination.
Depending on where you live, this could include places like a local marae or Primary Health Organisation (PHO).
You are able to bring a support person along when getting a vaccination.
Do you have more questions?
Check the official FAQ here, or join Changing Minds and Whāriki for a Zoom hui Thursday 8th July, 1pm for COVID-19 Vaccination Information.
Our CEO Taimi Allan will be having a discussion with Dr Edwin Reynolds, medical adviser to the immunisation advisory centre. They will cover Pfizer/mRNA vaccine education and answer your questions on how Tāngata Mātau ā-wheako or those on specific medication can be vaccinated, as well as answering questions about the best ways to support an effective immunisation programme.
To register, visit https://www.whariki-ao.nz/Public/Event/11
If you have any questions for Dr Edwin Reynolds that you would like Taimi to ask, send them to us ahead of time at communications@changingminds.org.nz
“Tāngata whai ora’s inclusion in Group 3 is a step towards achieving health equity for our most vulnerable,” says Taimi Allan, CEO of Changing Minds. “It recognises that we have a responsibility to ensure people experiencing mental health and addiction challenges are not further disadvantaged by physical health inequity and have the same opportunities to be as equally-well as the rest of our population.”
“It also illustrates the strength of collaborative action as many organisations and individuals have been involved in influencing this decision, including Changing Minds and our extended lived experience whānau – through reviewing evidence, sharing personal stories, asking what your questions are about the vaccine, addressing fear and misinformation, and getting the answers to help you make an informed choice.”
Group 3 vaccinations are being rolled out now, but it’s important to remember you can book one when it suits you.
From the whole team at Changing Minds, we hope these responses help you to make a more informed choice on whether the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you.
Important Links:
You can click here to find out more information about the criteria and vaccine advice for specific groups.
Everyone in New Zealand aged 16 and over will be in one of four groups for their free COVID-19 vaccinations. Answer these questions to find out what group you’re in.
Visit here to find out how to book your vaccine if you’ve decided you want one.