Forty five percent of the population currently eligible have now received their booster shot.

We are strongly recommending boosters for anyone over the age of 18 who had their second vaccine dose at least four months ago.

Vaccination remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19 including Omicron.

Today we are reporting 43 people at the border with COVID-19. New Zealand continues to see many border cases arriving from overseas, reflecting the growing number of Omicron cases globally.

The seven-day rolling average of border cases is 31.

As part of our collective preparations for Omicron please check your details are up to date with your regular healthcare provider and in the COVID-19 Tracer app.

Omicron update
To date, there are now 266 Omicron COVID-19 cases detected at the border since 1 December.

During the same period, more than 18,000 people have arrived and been processed through Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities

New Zealand has taken steps to manage the risk of a community Omicron outbreak linked to border cases, including increasing the period overseas arrivals must spend in MIQ, and shifting the focus of whole genome sequencing to areas of most risk, such as for any cases in border workers.

The MIQ system exists to catch cases at the border. Managed isolation and quarantine facilities are well set up to care for Omicron cases and protect the community. The staff at facilities are experienced in managing and caring for positive cases.

All Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities follow very strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures developed by the Ministry of Health to manage the risks of spreading COVID-19. People in MIQ undergo regular routine testing.

All travellers arriving into New Zealand require a pre-departure test. Travellers must receive their test 48 hours prior to travel. Travellers also must complete four tests while in managed isolation. This testing regime provides an extra level protection to our existing border measures.

COVID-19 vaccine update
Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,986,487 first doses (95%); 3,890,397 second doses (92%); 34,606 third primary doses; 678,943 booster doses
Vaccines administered yesterday: 1,421 first doses; 3,595 second doses; 591 third primary doses and 41,664 booster doses.
Māori (percentage of eligible people): 505,366 first doses (88%); 473,566 second doses (83%).
Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 273,827 first doses (96%); 264,167 second doses (92%).

Vaccination rates by DHB with active cases (percentage of eligible people)
Northland DHB: First doses (89%); second doses (85%)
Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (96%); second doses (95%)
Waikato DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%)
Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%)
Lakes DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (89%)
Wairarapa DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (93%)
Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (97%)
Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
Canterbury DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (97%)