COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease that can affect your lungs, airways and other organs. Find out the best ways to help your children, family/whānau and yourself in this pandemic.

Boy with a virus blowing his nose into a tissue

Image purchased from https://www.123rf.com/
Image ID: 54118616
Copyright: Jean-Paul Chassenet

Boy with a virus blowing his nose into a tissue

COVID-19 - What You Need To Know

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It can affect your lungs, airways and other organs. Even though immunisation against COVID-19 has begun here in Aotearoa New Zealand, there is still a risk of COVID-19 returning to the community. If your child has cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, keep them home from daycare or school and call your GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice. 

Hands being washed under a tap

How To Protect Yourself & Others Against COVID-19

There is still a risk of COVID-19 returning to the community in Aotearoa New Zealand. Keep your child at home, away from school or daycare if they are sick and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice. 

Graphic of COVID-19 symptoms

COVID-19 - Symptoms Chart In 7 Languages

How to recognise possible symptoms of the Alpha variant of COVID-19. If you or your child have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting a free test.

Immunising Children During COVID-19

Immunisation remains a priority for whānau during all COVID-19 alert levels. You can  protect your child against serious diseases like whooping cough and measles. 

COVID-19 Immunisation & Breastfeeding

The Australian and New Zealand governments support the use of an approved COVID-19 vaccine in breastfeeding women. 

COVID-19 Immunisation For Children & Teens With Diabetes

Young people with diabetes aged 16 years and over are currently eligible for COVID-19 immunisation. Information for those aged 12 to 15 years will be available in coming months.

Little child, boy, hugging his mother and a teddy bear

Coping With Worry & Anxiety About COVID-19

It is perfectly normal and OK to feel anxiety in the current COVID-19 pandemic. This can result in strong feelings, reactions, and changes in behaviour. There are a number of steps you can take to help your children, family/whānau and yourself.

A page from an online book - animated children standing in a line and holding on to a cord

Resources To Help Explain COVID-19 To Children

Looking for something to help your child make sense of  COVID-19? Check these resources - from videos for kids about the science behind coronavirus to online stories that can be important conversation starters in your household. The resources cover the range of Alert Levels in New Zealand. 

Mother with newborn baby

COVID-19 & Pregnancy - Alert Level 1

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many pregnant women are feeling anxious about their own health and that of their baby. So far, there has been no clear evidence of pregnant women passing on COVID-19 to their babies during pregnancy or birth. Pregnant women who develop COVID-19 do not seem more at risk of serious complications than other healthy people.

Mother with newborn baby

COVID-19 & Pregnancy - Alert Level 2

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many pregnant women are feeling anxious about their own health and that of their baby. So far, there has been no clear evidence of pregnant women passing on COVID-19 to their babies during pregnancy or birth. Pregnant women who develop COVID-19 do not seem more at risk of serious complications than other healthy people.

Mother with newborn baby

COVID-19 & Pregnancy - Alert Level 3

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many pregnant women are feeling anxious about their own health and that of their baby. So far, there has been no clear evidence of pregnant women passing on COVID-19 to their babies during pregnancy or birth. Pregnant women who develop COVID-19 do not seem more at risk of serious complications than other healthy people.

Mother with newborn baby

COVID-19 & Pregnancy - Alert Level 4

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many pregnant women are feeling anxious about their own health and that of their baby. So far, there has been no clear evidence of pregnant women passing on COVID-19 to their babies during pregnancy or birth. Pregnant women who develop COVID-19 do not seem more at risk of serious complications than other healthy people.

Baby breastfeeding

COVID-19 & Breastfeeding

If you have COVID-19, you can still breastfeed your baby. So far, there is no evidence of mothers passing on COVID-19 to babies through breastmilk. The main risk of breastfeeding is close contact between you and your baby. So, take precautions if you are breastfeeding and you have COVID-19.

School bag on a bench with notebook and calculator alongside

COVID-19 - Children With Diabetes Returning To School

The NZ Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Diabetes advises that it is safe for children and young people with diabetes to be at school under Alert Levels 1 or 2.

Boy sitting at a desk looking at his work with a teacher looking on

COVID-19 - Advice For Childhood Cancer & Bone Marrow Transplant Patients

The Australian and NZ Children's Haematology and Oncology Group advises it is safe for all siblings and the vast majority of childhood cancer and bone marrow transplant patients to be at school when schools are open.

Mother and daughter hugging

Supporting Children When A Family Member Dies During COVID-19

It can be a frightening and confusing time for children when a family member dies. The restrictions due to COVID-19 make it more challenging to meet the needs of children, particularly when a family member dies from COVID-19 infection. Find out how you can create new opportunities to help your child in this process.

Supporting Your Child During COVID-19 Nasal Swab Testing

A Mayo Clinic (USA) video which prepares children for a COVID-19 nasal swab test and helps ease some of their possible fear and anxiety. This video is suitable for children as young as 4 years old.