New Zealanders are set to be better protected against COVID-19, this winter.
A bivalent booster is being rolled out next month, which contains two strains of the virus.
It will replace the current Pfizer booster, with those eligible to get the new vaccine having access from 1 March and people aged over 30 able to get vaccinated from April onwards.
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall made the announcement on Thursday. An expected total of 1.7 million bivalent vaccines will be bought into New Zealand over the course of the next few months.
Canterbury University Professor, Michael Plank, told the Today FM Newsroom the jab is being made available just in time.
"The timing makes sense because it means that people are going to have the chance to get vaccinated and to have maximum immunity as we head into winter," Plank said.
"It might just mean that our immune system will be better prepared to fight off the current variants and also any future variants that are likely to be closely related."
Plank said it will be a nice top-up as Kiwis begin the move from warm to cold weather, a time many find themselves getting sick from the change in temperature.
"A lot of people… it's been several months since the last vaccine dose or their last infection so although they'll have some immunity that does wane over time," he said.
Kiwis will be able to begin booking from late March via the bookmyvaccine website, or on 0800 28 29 26, also or through their primary care provider.
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