New Zealand is currently experiencing its ninth wave of Covid-19, with the latest Health New Zealand figures reporting 50 hospitalisations and 19 deaths in just one week. A public health expert warns that the real impact of the virus may be underestimated, especially among older adults, as booster uptake falls and long Covid remains largely untracked.
Professor Michael Baker, a public health expert at the University of Otago, told the RNZ Morning Report that waves of Covid-19 have been a consistent pattern since the Omicron variant became widespread in 2022. In the past four years, roughly two waves have occurred each year. These surges are not limited to winter and have been equally distributed across the seasons.
This latest wave is different. Professor Baker explains that it is not driven by a new subvariant, but by waning immunity in the community. Many people have gone months without a booster or a recent Covid infection, leaving antibodies at lower levels and giving the virus an “edge.” For older adults, whose immune responses naturally decline with age, staying up to date with vaccinations is crucial.
Covid-19 continues to be New Zealand’s most impactful infectious disease, equating to about 1,000 deaths a year, compared to roughly 500 from seasonal influenza. Hospitals are filling up, making it essential for everyone, particularly those over 60, to take precautions to reduce the virus’s impact.
Keeping up to date with vaccinations
The Ministry of Health continues to stress that vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself. Covid-19 boosters are available every six months for people over 30. Getting regular shots not only strengthens immunity against infection but also reduces the risk of long Covid, a disabling condition that is currently not being formally tracked in New Zealand.
Influenza vaccines are equally important. Seasonal flu can be severe for older adults and getting your flu shot each year can prevent hospitalisation and serious illness. The Ministry of Health recommends that New Zealanders aged 65 and older get both their flu shot and Covid-19 booster to maximise protection during winter.
Other ways to reduce risk
While vaccination is important, simple everyday actions can help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses:
Stay home if you feel unwell or have respiratory symptoms.
Wear a mask in crowded or indoor spaces if you’re at higher risk.
Practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Consider testing if you have symptoms, though tests are now self-funded in New Zealand.
Professor Baker notes that self-isolation remains an effective method to prevent transmission, especially for older adults who are more vulnerable to severe illness. Regularly topping up immunity with boosters and practicing caution during winter waves can help reduce the risk of infection, hospitalisation and long-term complications.
Staying up to date with both Covid-19 and flu vaccinations, monitoring symptoms and taking simple protective measures can make a meaningful difference for older adults this winter. By combining vaccinations with sensible precautions, New Zealanders over 65 can help protect themselves, their families and their communities from severe illness.
