Recommended timing gaps for different COVID-19 vaccines

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

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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 
Prescription may be needed – discuss with your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider 

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. 

Vaccination advice if you have a health condition

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