Covid 19

Emails released from the Ministry of Health show staff were deeply worried about the lack of data tracking Covid-19 vaccination rates for pregnant women.

Two Covid-19 cases have been reported in Tairāwhiti today - the first cases in the region since last year.

Australia is shortening the wait time for people to receive their Covid-19 booster shots to four months from the start of January, and three months by the end of January.

Church pastors around the country are usually preparing to host services for tomorrow - but this year many worshippers will be watching pre-recorded services online.

The Māori vaccination rate continues to tick up, with several DHBs now past 90 percent for first doses.

Māori health experts say they have finally been heard after a targeted protection plan released yesterday echoed their suggestions.

An Auckland martial arts gym has been fined $12,000 for knowingly allowing unvaccinated staff to work.

People can already get Covid-19 vaccine boosters four months after their second dose instead of waiting until next month, the Ministry of Health has clarified.

There are 56 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

Months of hard work by Māori health and community services is paying off in Tairāwhiti where more than 90 percent of people have had the first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

Mixed messages about booster vaccine shots have led to anger and confusion among customers, says a Wellington pharmacist. Audio

An epidemiologist advises higher caution in areas of low vaccination, as a statistical breakdown of vaccination rates across the nation's suburbs is revealed in the Ministry of Health's website.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ruled out new restrictions before Christmas but says further measures could be in place after the holiday if the situation deteriorates.

Health officials are talking to their counterparts in Australia and the UK to learn as much as possible about what they are up against.