COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine
Is the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine safe?
Yes. The World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) has deemed the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine safe and effective for most people aged 16 or over.
New Zealand’s own medicines safety authority, MedSafe has also provisionally approved the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in New Zealand. This approval has involved a robust assessment process to ensure the vaccine meets international standards and local requirements for quality and safety. This means the pharmaceutical company must meet certain conditions, including supplying more data from its clinical trials around the world while the vaccine is rolled out.
While MedSafe has streamlined its approval processes, it is prioritising the evaluation of COVID-19 vaccines for faster access and still has the same rigorous level of scrutiny that all medicines undergo.
Is the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine safe for people with diabetes?
Yes, the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe for people with diabetes aged 12 years or older.
The World Health Organisation has found the vaccine to be safe and effective in people with various conditions that are associated with increased risk of severe disease. This includes diabetes as well as hypertension, asthma, pulmonary, liver and kidney disease.
We recommend you discuss any concerns with your GP and/or diabetes team.
What about children with diabetes?
At this stage, the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine has not been approved for use in children below 12 years of age, even if they have an underlying health condition such as diabetes. This is because clinical trials have not included children under 12 yet.
What about during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
If you are pregnant
Pregnant women who get COVID-19 are more likely to get seriously ill, so it is a good idea to get vaccinated.
Millions of pregnant people have been vaccinated around the world. Data shows no evidence that the vaccine is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage during pregnancy, and no additional safety concerns have been raised.
The vaccine protects you as you are far less likely to fall seriously ill. It also protects your baby as there is evidence that babies can get antibodies through the placenta that help protect them from COVID-19.
The Pfizer vaccine does not contain a live virus or any ingredients that are harmful to pregnant people or their babies.
If you are breastfeeding
Studies show there are no additional safety concerns or issues with continuing to breastfeed after vaccination.
Breastfeeding supports the development of a healthy immune system, and if you are vaccinated against COVID-19, there is evidence that you can provide extra protection for your baby through antibodies in your breastmilk.
What are the common side effects of the vaccine?
Like all medicines, the vaccine may cause side effects in some people. This is the body’s normal response and shows the vaccine is working. Side effects are usually mild, don’t last long and won’t stop you from having the second dose or going about your daily life.
Common side effects include pain at the injection site, headache, feeling tired or fatigued, muscle aches, feeling generally unwell, chills, fever, joint pain and nausea.
Serious allergic reactions can occur but are extremely rare. New Zealand vaccinators are trained to manage these. If you have an unexpected reaction to your COVID-19 vaccination, your vaccinator or health professional should report it to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM). You can also report any unexpected reactions direct by emailing CARM or using their online reporting form on the CARM website here
We recommend you discuss any concerns with your GP or other medical professional.
Does the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine affect blood glucose levels in people with diabetes?
It’s important to carefully monitor your blood glucose levels for 48 hours after you receive your vaccination as blood glucose levels may rise as a result of side effects of the vaccine. Stay hydrated, and make sure to have your sick day plan ready in case you feel unwell.
We recommend you take your blood glucose meter and hypo treatment with you to your vaccination appointment and make sure your vaccinator is aware you have diabetes, as some people with type 1 diabetes have reported hypos post-vaccination.
Please discuss any concerns with your GP or diabetes medical professional.
What is the vaccine made of and how does it work?
The Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine is a messenger RNA vaccine, meaning it doesn’t use virus cells, but contains a piece of RNA code that ‘teaches’ the body to recognise the virus, so it can respond straight away if you become infected.
The vaccine also contains buffers and a very small amount of sucrose to protect the lipid during ultra-low temperature storage.
How effective is the vaccine?
Clinical trials have shown the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine to be 95% effective. Similar results were seen across age, gender, race, ethnicity demographics and people with health conditions – including diabetes. Of those who participated in clinical trials for this vaccine, 9.4% of people had diabetes.
It’s not yet known how long you will be protected from COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine.
We also don’t yet know if the vaccine will stop you from passing on the virus to others, but it will help protect you against COVID-19.
Once you’ve been vaccinated, you should continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Thoroughly wash and dry your hands. Cough or sneeze into your elbow and stay home if you feel unwell. This will help you protect yourself, your whānau and others. Continue using the COVID tracer app, turn on your phone’s Bluetooth function, and you may wish to wear a face covering or mask.
What about the new UK & South African strains of COVID-19?
While there is currently limited data, early research has shown that the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine is just as effective against the UK (Kent) strain
Who can’t have the vaccine?
There are specific populations for whom the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine is not recommended, either due to contraindications, lack of supply, or limited data. These populations currently include people who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to an ingredient in the vaccine, and children under 12.
We recommend you discuss any concerns with your GP or medical professional.
Does the vaccine give you COVID-19?
No, the vaccine will not give you COVID-19.
How many courses of the vaccine will I need?
The vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle of the upper arm by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If receiving the Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine you’ll need two doses, at least three weeks apart. To ensure you have the best protection, make sure you get both doses of the vaccine.
You’ll need to wait 30 minutes after your vaccination so medical staff can check you do not have a serious allergic reaction.
