COVID-19

Pfizer New Zealand and BioNTech announce Medsafe’s consent for JN.1-adapted COVID-19 vaccine and its availability from January 2025. The updated COVID-19 vaccine can be given to adults and children 6 months and older

The Health and Disability Commissioner has ruled against a locum GP who failed to carry out necessary follow-ups with a woman with a rare genetic disorder who reported complications after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. She died four days later

The Health and Disability Commissioner has ruled against two GPs for inappropriately issuing medical certificates for COVID-19 vaccine mandate exemptions

A legal challenge over the Medical Council’s 2021 guidance statement on the COVID-19 vaccine and anti-vax claims was underway in the High Court at Wellington today 

Pharmacists and pharmacy owners were outraged by cuts to the pharmacy COVID-19 antivirals service. Jonathan Chilton-Towle reports

The reduction in funding for the pharmacy COVID-19 antivirals service will undermine community pharmacies’ ability to provide essential health services, writes Bay of Plenty Community Pharmacy Group president Stuart MacDonald

The reduction in funding for the pharmacy COVID-19 antivirals service will undermine community pharmacies’ ability to provide essential health services, writes Bay of Plenty Community Pharmacy Group president Stuart MacDonald 

Experts are calling for an urgent upgrade to New Zealand’s mask policies to protect vulnerable people, Patrice Dougan reports

Infectious disease physician Joan Ingram examines the new Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine, including its effectiveness and safety

Many pharmacists believe the upcoming reduction in funding for providing COVID-19 antivirals makes the service financially unviable, and some say they may refuse to offer it as a result