COVID-19 Antivirals Access Criteria assessment tool

This guide is intended to help clinicians assess whether their patient is eligible for funded COVID-19 antiviral treatments.

My patient has confirmed or a likely case of COVID-19
Symptoms started:
My patient requires supplemental oxygen
My patient:

Result will appear here

COVID-19 antivirals are not funded until someone has COVID-19

Advance ("back pocket") prescriptions

Since 11 August 2022, the Ministry of Health has allowed prescriptions for antivirals to be written in advance of someone getting sick. 

Advance prescriptions advice for health care professionals - Ministry of Health

Advance prescription advice for the public - Ministry of Health

To check eligibility

Change your answer to "yes" to check if the patient will be eligible if they get COVID-19.

X Your patient is eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments

Your patient:

  • has not completed a primary course of vaccination
  • is aged between 65 or 74. 

They are eligible under section 4.3.4 of the access criteria.

X Your patient is eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments

Your patient:

  • is Māori or of Pacific ethnicity
  • has not completed a primary course of vaccination
  • is aged between 50 and 64.

Your patient qualifies for funded COVID-19 antiviral treatments under section 4.2.3 of the access criteria.

X Your patient is eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments

Your patient:

  • is Māori or of Pacific ethnicity
  • has not completed a primary course of vaccination
  • is aged between 65 and 74.

Your patient qualifies for funded COVID-19 antiviral treatments under section 4.2.4 of the access criteria. 

x Your patient is eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments

Your patient is eligible for funded COVID-19 antiviral treatments.

Your patient is not eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments

As it has been more than 7 days since the onset of symptoms, COVID-19 antivirals are not funded.

Your patient is not eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments

Your patient cannot access funded antivirals because they require supplemental oxygen.

Your patient is not eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments

Your patient does not meet current funding criteria for COVID-19 anti-viral treatments.

Your patient is eligible 

As your patient is likely to experience worse outcomes from a COVID-19 infection, they are eligible to access COVID-19 antiviral treatment.

Your patient is not eligible for funded COVID-19 antiviral treatments

They are not eligible for funded health care in Aotearoa / New Zealand. Some treatments are available for purchase on the private market. 

Pharmacies can answer questions about medicines available to purchase. Currently, molnupiravir (Lagevrio) is the only COVID-19 antiviral available for private purchase in New Zealand.

Server error: Clicking the "Finished" button will result in a server error. If you want to re-do the form refresh the webpage:

  • keyboard: ctrl + F5
  • mobile: swipe down web page

Notes: 

Rules for who can be considered for publicly funded health services in Aotearoa / New Zealand are set by the Minister of Health. Guide to eligibility for public health services | Te Whatu Ora(external link).

*  As per Ministry of Health criteria(external link) of ‘severe immunocompromise’ for third primary dose

** A primary dose for most people is 2 vaccinations

*** Ministry of Health's definition of high-risk conditions(external link)

Only one COVID-19 antiviral treatment is funded at a time. 

You may get an error message saying you have unsaved changes when you leave or refresh this page. You can ignore this message.

Updated for the 14 September 2022 access criteria.