The minimum time between COVID-19 vaccines changes depending on how many COVID-19 vaccinations you’ve already had, if you’ve had a COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months, and what vaccine type you’re getting. Some vaccine combinations may also require a prescription.
Last updated: 2 May 2023
On this page:
- If you’ve had a COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months
- Ages 30 and over
- Ages 18 to 29
- Ages 16 to 17
- Ages 12 to 15
- Ages 5 to 11
- Ages 6 months to 4 years old
- Shortening recommended gaps
- How to get a prescription
If you’ve had a COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months
It’s recommended that all age groups wait 6 months after testing positive before getting any COVID-19 vaccination.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you’ve had COVID-19
Ages 30 and over
|
First dose |
Second dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer (adult) or Novavax |
Pfizer (adult) or Novavax |
8 weeks |
|
All other combinations |
Prescription may be needed – discuss with your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider |
|
Booster doses for ages 30 and over
If you are aged 30 and over, you can have a booster regardless of the number of boosters you have already had.
To get a booster:
- you must have had at least your first 2 COVID-19 vaccinations
- it’s recommended you wait at least 6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine
- it’s recommended you wait at least 6 months if you have had a COVID-19 infection.
For boosters, the bivalent Pfizer vaccine is preferred. This is an updated vaccine targeting Omicron.
If you do not want to have the bivalent vaccine, you can ask for the original Pfizer vaccine when you arrive for your vaccination.
Adults aged 18 and over can also choose Novavax. This is available at limited sites.
The 6 month gap remains the same regardless of which vaccine type you’d like for your booster.
Ages 18 to 29
Healthy people aged 18 to 29 can have a first and second dose (their primary course) and 1 booster dose – this can be either the bivalent Pfizer vaccine, or Novavax.
|
First dose |
Second dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer (adult) or Novavax |
Pfizer (adult) or Novavax |
8 weeks |
|
All other combinations |
Prescription may be needed – discuss with your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider |
|
Booster dose
|
Second dose |
Booster dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer bialent or Novavax |
Pfizer bivalent or Novavax |
6 months |
|
All other combinations |
Prescription may be needed – discuss with your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider |
|
Ages 16 to 17
Healthy people aged 16 to 17 can have a first and second dose (their primary course) and 1 booster dose.
|
First dose |
Second dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer (adult) or Novavax |
Pfizer (adult) or Novavax |
8 weeks |
|
All other combinations |
Prescription may be needed – discuss with your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider |
|
Booster dose
Only Pfizer is approved as a booster for this age group.
|
Second dose |
Booster dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer (adult) |
Pfizer (adult) |
6 months |
|
All other combinations |
Prescription may be needed – discuss with your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider |
|
Ages 12 to 15
Healthy young people aged 12 to 15 are eligible for 2 adult doses of either the Pfizer vaccine or the Novavax vaccine at least 8 weeks apart. They are not eligible for a booster.
|
First dose |
Second dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer (adult) or Novavax |
Pfizer (adult) or Novavax |
8 weeks |
|
All other combinations |
4 weeks |
|
Severely immunocompromised children can have a booster dose at least 6 months after their last COVID-19 vaccine, or infection.
Ages 5 to 11
Healthy tamariki aged 5 to 11 can have 2 child doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least 8 weeks apart. They are not eligible for a booster.
|
First dose |
Second dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer paediatric (child) |
Pfizer paediatric (child) |
8 weeks |
|
All other combinations |
Prescription may be needed – discuss with your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider |
|
Ages 6 months to 4 years old (severely immunocompromised only)
Only severely immunocompromised children aged 6 months to 4 years old can have COVID-19 vaccinations. Eligible children have 3 doses of the child Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Eligibility criteria for ages 6 months to 4 years >
|
First dose |
Second dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer (6 months to 4 years old) |
Pfizer (6 months to 4 years old) |
3 weeks |
|
|
||
|
Second dose |
Third dose |
Recommended gap |
|
Pfizer (6 months to 4 years old) |
Pfizer (6 months to 4 years old) |
8 weeks |
Shortening recommended gaps
Recommended gaps can be shortened in certain circumstances, such as prior to immunosuppression treatment or international travel. This will need to be discussed with your usual doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider.
How to get a prescription
If you need a prescription, before your appointment visit your preferred doctor or healthcare provider to discuss your options.
It is also possible to get a prescription at a vaccinating Novavax clinic when you arrive for your appointment – first, you’ll need to talk with the vaccination site’s clinical lead.
Severely immunocompromised people who wish to receive a third primary dose will need to get a prescription from their usual healthcare provider. We recommend you schedule a free appointment with your usual healthcare provider.