Booster shots and 5 to 11-year-olds to receive the paediatric vaccine in January

The 98 per cent of the eligible population who receive both doses of the Pfizer vaccine earlier this year can expect to receive the booster shot in January. Children 5 to 11-year-old will also be receiving the paediatric Pfizer vaccine in the new year as well.

This was confirmed by Premier Dalton Tagelagi on the final News of the Week programme last Friday.

Premier Dalton Tagelagi says that he made sure Niue would be prioritised to receive the booster shots in January and the paediatric vaccine for the children when available.

“Definitely be in January, they’ve already earmarked us for then. Given that we had our first and second shots in May/June, so six months will be in January.

“We’re also preparing for the five- to eleven-year-olds. We’re going to get the vaccine for that age group as well. We’ve been told that we’ll be getting the vaccine for that age group as well”, says Premier Tagelagi.

Last week, New Zealand’s Medsafe granted provisional approval for children to be given the paediatric version of the Pfizer vaccine, with a 21-day interval between the first and second doses.

Premier Tagelagi also credited the work of the frontline staff to keeping Niue safe and protecting our borders from Covid 19. He said that everyone will make time to roll out the booster and paediatric vaccine early next year.

“We know that this is far more important and I’m asking for everyone’s cooperation in working together in order to protect ourselves,” says Premier Dalton Tagelagi.