There is a large amount of information readily available online about vaccine safety, which is helpful but can also make it difficult for people to know which sources are trustworthy and reputable. One of the best ways to stop misinformation from spreading is by sharing information from official sources.

We encourage media organisations and social media companies to continue to be proactive in helping manage misinformation.    

Agencies that contribute to monitoring the safety of vaccines in Aotearoa New Zealand include: 

Reputable international data and information sources include, but are not limited to: 

COVID-19 Resources

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an unprecedented interest in the safety of vaccines. There is a wealth of publicly available data from official sources, both nationally and internationally, that supports the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. We encourage people to review official sources regarding COVID-19, and other vaccines for safety information.

Below are some of the New Zealand specific data and information sources that can be used for information regarding COVID-19:

COVID-19 Safety

When discussing COVID-19 vaccines it is important to note the impact vaccination has on the spread and severity of disease. Results from a recent study: ‘The impact of Covid-19 vaccination in Aotearoa New Zealand: A modelling study’ showed that the COVID-19 vaccine saved an estimated 4,600–9,500 lives and prevented 34,000–58,000 hospitalisations between January 2022 and June 2023 in Aotearoa New Zealand. Risks associated with vaccination, along with any medicine, are continually weighed against the related disease. COVID-19 vaccines have continually shown to be safe and effective at reducing hospitalisations and mortality.

There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination is responsible for excess mortality in New Zealand or internationally. Increased mortality from all causes (compared to pre-pandemic years) was observed during 2022, coinciding with the Omicron wave in New Zealand which would have contributed to this increased mortality.

Reporting also showed that deaths from COVID-19 were more likely to occur among those who had not received a primary course of vaccine, compared with those who had been vaccinated. More information can be found in the study COVID-19 Mortality in Aotearoa New Zealand: Inequities in Risk for more information.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board (CV-ISMB) was established to assess potential links between reported adverse events following immunisation and reviewed all serious and significant events for the COVID-19 vaccine, including fatal reports. More information about the CV-ISMB can be found here.