Law change for allowing COVID-19 boosters without prescription passed

Health Minister Andrew Little said the changes made to the Medicines Act were a more enduring way to manage the administration of vaccine boosters from now on.

Law change for allowing COVID-19 boosters without prescription passed
Health Minister Andrew Little said the changes made to the Medicines Act were a more enduring way to manage the administration of vaccine boosters from now on. Image Credit: Wikimedia
  • Country:
  • New Zealand

A law change passed today streamlines the process for allowing COVID-19 boosters to be given without requiring a prescription.

Health Minister Andrew Little said the changes made to the Medicines Act were a more enduring way to manage the administration of vaccine boosters from now on.

"The Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group recommended that people who are at high risk of getting very sick from a COVID-19 infection should have a second booster six months after the first," Andrew Little said.

"The changes we have made today mean that the Director-General of Health now has the ability to make boosters available to those who need them, meaning people don't need an individual prescription to get one."

The Director-General of Health will next confirm who will be eligible to receive a second booster. That announcement is expected to happen later this week."

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)

Give Feedback

Use this form for editorial or site feedback. We usually reply within 2 to 3 working days.

By submitting, you agree that we may use your email address to respond.