Dr Doug Wilson Photo: Supplied
New Zealand's first batch of the Pfizer BionTech Covid-19 vaccine is set to arrive next week and vaccination of high-risk people will start a few weeks later.
So what do people over 65 need to know before they roll up their sleeves for a jab?
Medical academic and author of Ageing For Beginners Doug Wilson shares his views from the other side of 80.
The Pfizer vaccine seems to be one of the most effective against Covid-19, Doug tells Kim Hill.
"As a vaccine, it seems to be remarkably good apart from the fact it needs to be kept at minus 80 degrees celsius which affects delivery and distribution."
Over ten million Americans have now received the Pfizer vaccine, Doug says.
"In this group, the older population has responded well, with less side effects than the younger population because their immune systems are a little bit slower.
"People who've had chemotherapy, their immune systems might be suppressed to some extent, but they are still acceptable for the vaccine."
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which may arrive in New Zealand before July, still has some "open questions" around it in relation to older people, Doug says. Yet he trusts that the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - "a very reputable group" - wouldn't decide to release it to people over 65 unless they believe it is safe.
Both the Pfizer and Oxford vaccines have been shown to prevent people from getting infected with Covid, and particularly a severe case, should they come into contact with another person who is infected, Doug says.
It's a good outcome that these vaccines will soon be available in New Zealand, he says, as it will enable people to feel safer going about their lives.
