Paxlovid (COVID-19 antiviral) access criteria assessment tool

This guide is intended to help assess whether someone is eligible for funded Paxlovid.

A person has confirmed or a likely case of COVID-19
Symptoms started:
Person needs supplemental oxygen as a result of COVID-19 infection #
Person is:
Person has:

Result will appear here

Paxlovid is not funded

As it has been more than 5 days since symptoms started, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir).

Paxlovid is not funded

The person cannot access funded Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir) because they need supplemental oxygen as a result of a COVID-19 infection.

Paxlovid is not funded until someone has COVID-19

Advance ("back pocket") prescriptions

People can get a prescription for Paxlovid before they get sick. The pharmacy cannot dispense funded Paxlovid until the person has COVID-19.

Getting a prescription before you get sick | Health NZ

To check eligibility

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

The person is not eligible for funded Paxlovid

The person does not meet current funding criteria for Paxlovid.

Paxlovid is funded

The person can access funded Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir).

Paxlovid is funded

The person can access funded Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir).

Paxlovid is not funded

The person cannot access funded Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir).

Notes: 

BPACNZ | Access criteria for COVID-19 antivirals: Determine priority by need(external link) 

# supplemental oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation >93%, or at or above baseline, due to COVID-19 infection (excluding people with chronic resting hypoxia as a result of conditions other than COVID-19)

* Identifying people who are severely immunocompromised

** Health conditions that include severe or very advanced disease including, but not limited to, severe neurological, cardiovascular, renal and respiratory conditions.

*** High risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19

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

If you don't get a result, refresh and start again. Changing answers to earlier questions may cause this.

Updated 1 September 2025.