COVID-19 vaccine dosing intervals

Note: This request was originally responded to in 2022. The withheld information was reconsidered for release in June 2026. The Ministry has decided to republish this response to ensure a copy of the documents within remain easily and readily accessible online.

Key documents released under this response:

• Request for Advice: Rapid review of current data on extended dosing intervals for the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (5 August 2021)
• Memorandum: Decision to increase the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine interval to six weeks (HR20211788) (6 August 2021)
• Memo: The use of COVID-19 vaccines during an outbreak: COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) recommendations for prioritisation of first doses nationwide (20 August 2021)
• Science Overview of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine (November 2021)
• Memo: COVID-19 booster vaccinations in specific situations: COVID-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG) recommendations (17 December 2021)
• Aide-Memoire: Cabinet Oral Item: Changing intervals for COVID-19 booster doses with the emergence of the Omicron variant 20212767 (19 December 2021)
• DG Memorandum: Implementation and delivery of COVID-19 booster doses at shorter interval with the emergence of the Omicron variant (21 December 2021)