Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has indicated New Zealand will roll out a second COVID booster jab to vulnerable Kiwis.
Dr Bloomfield made the comments during a press conference in Wellington on Tuesday but didn't give specific timeframes around when a rollout could be expected.
Countries including England - which was ahead of New Zealand in its original vaccine rollout - have already launched the fourth jab for people aged over 75 and immunocompromised citizens.
Dr Bloomfield said the Ministry of Health was "looking at the role" a fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine could play among vulnerable groups.
"I'm expecting advice on that this week," Dr Bloomfield told reporters. "I've asked for advice specifically for vulnerable populations - especially looking at what other jurisdictions are doing; so older people [and] people with pre-existing conditions.
"One of the aims we have is to look at whether we could vaccinate those groups [against COVID] alongside the flu vaccination.
"I have also asked whether the offer should be extended to other groups and, in particular, I'm thinking here of the health workforce - who would be at a high risk as we go into the winter period - and they were one of the first groups opened up to get their [first] booster shot back in December.
"I'll get the advice this week and we'll discuss it with ministers later in the week and then, of course, the decision will be theirs."
Dr Bloomfield's comments come as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern prepares to omake an announcement on the future of COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand - including vaccine passes and mandates.
Newshub Nation reported on Saturday that vaccine passes will be ditched by next month and mandates will be scrapped for most industries.
The Opposition has called for all current COVID restrictions to be shelved. Ardern will make announcements about restrictions on Wednesday.
