Prime Minister introduces Book My Vaccine

eHealthNews.nz: Covid-19

Thursday, 17 June 2021

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NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has introduced the new national Covid-19 vaccine booking system, called Book My Vaccine.

Ardern told a press conference on June 17 that the new system will be ready to use nationally when those aged over 60 are invited to book their vaccinations from July 28, 2021.

Ardern said people would be invited via email, text, mail or phone to book their first and second appointments using Book My Vaccine.

“It's an easy-to-use accessible tool, but for those who may not wish to use web-based services we'll also have a new national vaccination booking call centre,” she said.

Ardern said the health system has up-to-date contact details for 90 percent of the population and anyone worried their details may not be up to date can visit Book My Vaccine to register them.

Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield told the press conference that the goal is to administer seven million Covid-19 vaccinations to New Zealanders by the end of this year. The Ministry is preparing to ramp up to a peak of 700,000 doses a week.

He said Book My Vaccine is designed to manage a high volume of bookings and registrations and is backed up by a dedicated call centre.

“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for New Zealanders to book the vaccine at a time and location across the country that suits them,” Bloomfield said.

“They will be able to log back in to change their appointment and the information will go to their GP about the vaccination.”

He said Book My Vaccine has been developed iteratively, with input from District Health Boards, general practice and consumer groups to ensure that the tool is easy to use, resilient and fit for purpose. It will be the main system for people to book a vaccination.

One of the reasons the system is being rolled out gradually to DHBs is because many have existing booking system with bookings on them and this data is being migrated.

There are currently more than 26,000 active appointments in the new system.

“We have had very positive feedback from consumers already, and we waited until we had piloted it in two DHBs before we rolled out further, taking into account feedback from consumers, and others,” he said.

“Historically we have not had a national booking system for vaccines, so this is a new venture for the country,” Bloomfield said.

The Ministry of Health has developed Book My Vaccine using the Salesforce plugin Skedulo, which links with the National Covid-19 Immunisation Register.

Astrid Koornneef, GM operations, Covid-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme says Book My Vaccine is being rolled out gradually to DHBs across New Zealand.

To date, 23 sites across five DHBs have started using the booking system, covering Canterbury, Lakes, Taranaki, Wairarapa and two sites within Auckland Metro region.

“Some DHBs are using Book My Vaccine in parallel with existing systems used to manage bookings as they transition to using Book My Vaccine,” she says.