Covid vaccine available early for those aged 55 and over

Chris Hipkins says the money means all New Zealanders will get a free vaccine.

People aged 55 and over will be able to book their Covid-19 vaccines from Friday - five days earlier than planned. 

It comes as New Zealand delivered its two millionth dose of the Pfizer vaccine. 

That age bracket was originally supposed to begin on August 11. 

Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the Government was confident it had the capacity to bring forward the eligibility date. 

"We're able to bring this group forward because of the great response from the earlier groups and because DHBs have been continuing to add capacity to vaccinate more people and faster."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern a week ago received her second Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine dose, that day opening up vaccine eligibility to people aged 60 and over of group four. 

The rollout plan for the general public for age cohorts under 55:

-Age 45 and over expected from mid-to-late August
-Age 35 and over expected from mid-to-late September
-Everyone else expected from October. 

About 770,000 people have been fully vaccinated, with about 72,000 of those Māori and 49,000 Pacific Peoples. 

Yesterday saw more than 40,000 Pfizer doses given, setting a new daily record. Of those, about 30,000 were first doses and 12,300 second doses. 

ACT leader David Seymour called the two million dose mark a "pathetic" milestone, saying the Government should "start aiming higher".

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