Hailey Tran
During the Covid-19 Delta outbreak in New Zealand, there was concern about the number of unvaccinated health workers. About 2000 district health board workers were unvaccinated 15 hours before a mandate deadline, risking the loss of their jobs. This was estimated to be about 2-3% of 80,000 staff nationally, or between 1600 and 2400 people. The College of Midwives chief executive Alison Eddy expressed concern about losing midwives from the workforce, which was already stretched. In addition, there was a focus on the number of unvaccinated individuals requiring hospital care. Of 88 Delta hospital admissions, only one person was fully vaccinated, and similar trends were observed overseas. However, it was noted that the timing of vaccinations relative to exposure to Covid-19 should be considered when interpreting this data.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1st October 2022 |
| Total cases | 855 |
| Unvaccinated | 702 |
| One dose | 115 |
| Two doses | 38 |
| Percentage of unvaccinated district health board workers | 2-3% |
| Number of unvaccinated district health board workers | 1600-2400 |
| Total number of district health board workers | 80,000 |
| Number of unvaccinated health workers | About 2000 |
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What You'll Learn
Unvaccinated health workers
As of October 2022, it was estimated that 2-3% of district health board staff in New Zealand were unvaccinated, amounting to between 1600 and 2400 people. This figure did not include contractors working at hospitals.
The mandate for health workers to be vaccinated extended beyond district health boards to people working in the community, including GPs, physiotherapists, psychologists, midwives, and chiropractors. The College of GPs attempted to gauge how many of the country's 5000 GPs were unvaccinated. The College of Midwives chief executive, Alison Eddy, expressed concern about losing any midwife from the workforce, which was already stretched.
The mandate caused thousands of unvaccinated health workers to lose their jobs. However, some workers who were initially hesitant eventually chose to get vaccinated to keep their jobs.
Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance in Bay of Plenty reported an increase in immunisation rates, with 58.4% of enrolled tamariki fully immunised as of July 1, 2025, up from 52.5% in the previous quarter. However, they also noted a growing number of whānau expressing hesitancy or choosing to decline immunisation.
There has been a request for information on the number of fines issued to unvaccinated health workers in New Zealand, but it is unclear whether any response was received.
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Unvaccinated patients in hospitals
During the Covid-19 Delta outbreak in New Zealand, there were 88 hospital admissions, of which only one person was fully vaccinated. This trend was also observed overseas, where fully vaccinated people were much less likely to require hospitalisation. However, it is important to interpret this data with caution, as the timing of vaccination in relation to infection may impact these numbers. For instance, some of the unvaccinated cases may have been exposed to Covid-19 before receiving their vaccinations.
Among the 855 cases in the outbreak, 702 were unvaccinated, 115 had received one vaccine dose, and 38 had received two doses. While the vaccine is highly effective, it is not 100% protective, and full protection may not be achieved immediately after the first dose. During the outbreak, hospitals in Auckland faced significant pressure, with healthcare staff being flown in from other parts of the country to assist. There were 37 people in the hospital, including eight at North Shore, 14 at Middlemore, and 15 at Auckland Hospital, with six patients in total in the ICU or HDU.
The New Zealand government implemented vaccine mandates for healthcare workers to address the issue of unvaccinated staff. Before the mandate deadline, it was estimated that 2-3% of district health board staff, amounting to between 1600 and 2400 people, were unvaccinated. This estimate did not include contractors working in hospitals. While most healthcare workers complied with the mandate, some chose to leave their jobs rather than get vaccinated, creating staffing challenges in an already stretched healthcare system.
The introduction of vaccine passports in New Zealand led to social exclusion for unvaccinated individuals, impacting their participation in society and social activities. However, Pfizer has since clarified that its vaccine does not prevent transmission, contradicting earlier assumptions that guided policy decisions. This has prompted requests for the release of data justifying the segregation of unvaccinated individuals and the claim that they were more likely to spread Covid-19.
To maintain protection against severe illness and hospitalisation, New Zealand introduced booster programmes. As of March 2024, individuals aged 30 and over or at higher risk of severe illness, regardless of previous booster history, became eligible for a new booster shot six months after their last booster or a recent Covid-19 infection.
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Vaccine effectiveness
A retrospective, whole-population, matched-cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine waning in New Zealand. The study found that vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalisation and mortality was most robust in the early post-vaccination period, with VE against hospitalisation waning over time. Against the Delta variant, the VE of the booster vaccination was 95.5%, and against the Omicron variant, the summary VE of the booster vaccination was 80.8%.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis involving 68 studies from more than 23 countries, VE for the primary COVID-19 vaccine series at baseline (14–42 days) was 92% for hospitalisations and 91% for mortality. This effectiveness was reduced to 79% at 224–251 days for hospitalisations and 86% at 168–195 days for mortality. Against all documented infections, VE was 83% at baseline (14–42 days), decreasing to 62% by 112–139 days and then gradually to 47% by 280–307 days. At baseline, the booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines showed 70% effectiveness in preventing infections and 89% effectiveness in preventing hospitalisations. However, this effectiveness decreased to 43% against infections and 71% against hospitalisations after 112 days.
A major study by Victoria University professor of population health Colin Simpson found that the Pfizer vaccine provided sustained protection against death. The research, which measured Ministry of Health data from over 5 million people, found that the vaccine was most effective at preventing hospitalisation and infection in the initial months after each dose. Simpson noted that further research was needed to follow up on the individuals in the study, as it only covered the first and second boosters.
Other studies have shown that the Pfizer vaccine's effectiveness against the Delta variant falls after three months, with a University of Oxford study finding that the efficacy of the vaccine against symptomatic infection falls significantly within 90 days of receiving a second dose to about 75% against the Delta variant. This is down from 85% effectiveness within the first fortnight of the second dose. The study makes the case for administering booster shots of the vaccine to keep efficacy high.
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Vaccine mandates
In October 2021, the New Zealand government announced vaccine mandates for certain sectors, including healthcare, education, and corrections workers. The purpose of these mandates was to increase vaccination rates and ensure the continuity of public services. However, research has shown that while vaccination rates among mandated workers did increase after the announcement, the mandates had a limited effect on vaccine uptake. Instead, they had a substantial negative impact on the employment, earnings, and wellbeing of unvaccinated health workers.
The vaccine mandates in New Zealand were controversial and sparked protests across the country. Thousands of people gathered in Wellington to rally against the mandates and restrictions, with similar protests occurring in other cities. The mandates required proof of vaccination to access many non-essential services and public events, impacting about 40% of workers.
The ethics of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination have been widely discussed, with some scholars recommending it as a last resort if vaccine hesitancy persists and the population is at significant risk of harm. Others have raised concerns about individual rights and freedoms, including the right to refuse medical treatment and the impact on those who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons.
In the lead-up to the mandate deadline, there was uncertainty about the number of unvaccinated individuals across various sectors. In the healthcare sector, estimates suggested that 2-3% of district health board staff remained unvaccinated, amounting to between 1600 and 2400 people. However, these estimates did not include contractors working in hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
The impact of vaccine mandates extended beyond job loss. Unvaccinated health workers experienced ongoing trauma and struggled with the loss of their careers. They were often labelled as "anti-vaxxers" or conspiracy theorists, even though many supported vaccination but had legitimate reasons for not completing the required doses. The case for mandates was also questioned, as evidence suggested that the ability of the vaccine to prevent transmission was limited.
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Exclusion from social activities
New Zealand has seen a rise in the exclusion of unvaccinated individuals from various social activities. This has been a contentious issue, with some people feeling that their rights are being infringed upon, while others support these measures as a way to protect public health.
One of the primary areas where exclusions have occurred is in the hospitality sector. Many restaurants, bars, and cafes now require patrons to show proof of vaccination before entering their premises. This has been implemented through the country's "My Vaccine Pass," which displays a person's vaccination status. Those who are unvaccinated or cannot provide proof may be denied entry to these establishments, limiting their participation in social dining and drinking activities.
Entertainment venues have also implemented similar measures. Cinemas, theatres, and concert halls often require proof of vaccination for entry. Unvaccinated individuals may be excluded from cultural and leisure events, impacting their social lives and sense of inclusion. Some venues cater exclusively to vaccinated patrons, further segregating those who are unvaccinated.
The impact of these exclusions extends beyond individual inconveniences. There are concerns about the social isolation and marginalization of unvaccinated individuals. They may be excluded from gatherings with friends and family who frequent venues requiring proof of vaccination. This could lead to feelings of loneliness and alienation within their communities. Additionally, forming and maintaining social connections can be challenging as many social activities now take place in settings that require vaccination proof.
To address these concerns, unvaccinated individuals have organized their own social events and gatherings. While these events provide an alternative for the excluded, critics argue that they may further divide communities and perpetuate vaccine misinformation. Balancing the protection of public health with the inclusion of all citizens remains a complex issue in New Zealand's pandemic response.
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Frequently asked questions
During the Covid-19 Delta outbreak, there were 88 hospital admissions, of which only one person was fully vaccinated. Of the 855 cases in the outbreak, 702 were unvaccinated, 115 had received one dose, and 38 had received two doses.
An estimated 2-3% of district health board staff in New Zealand were unvaccinated, which equates to between 1600 and 2400 people.
Yes, there are reports of unvaccinated people in New Zealand being treated differently. A vax passport allowed participation in society and excluded many unvaccinated people from social activities.
