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Black Caps, travellers to get NZ vaccine

Ben McKayAAP
New Zealand Cricket has confirmed negotiations with the Ardern govt to vaccinate the Black Caps.
Camera IconNew Zealand Cricket has confirmed negotiations with the Ardern govt to vaccinate the Black Caps.

Kane Williamson and the all-conquering Black Caps are in line to be the first New Zealanders outside of the border regime and health system to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive David White says they've had negotiations with Jacinda Ardern's government to protect the Black Caps before they head overseas and attempt to become the inaugural World Test Champions.

"We've had very positive discussions," Mr White told AAP.

"The government has got a scheme for workers who travel overseas, there's a possibility to get vaccinated.

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"So we've commenced discussions with the government about that."

The NZ government has yet to confirm or announce its full vaccination rollout plan.

It is currently vaccinating border workers, their families, and is moving on to front-facing health workers next.

On Monday, Ms Ardern announced her government had agreed a deal with Pfizer to provide 8.5 million additional doses of the vaccine - enough to vaccinate every New Zealander.

Ms Ardern said that deal paved the way for further details on a vaccination strategy on Wednesday.

The PM acknowledged the pressing issue of athletes competing overseas - a group that sill soon include Olympians and Paralympians - and whether they should be prioritised.

"In some cases it might be a requirement that they be vaccinated beforehand," she said.

"We haven't made decisions on how that will be dealt with. We know it's an issue."

It is natural that NZC would seek to inoculate their stars, given their touring schedule in the next three months includes India and England.

Those two COVID hotspots are recording more new cases each day than NZ has experienced in total.

For the Black Caps, fresh from their 3-2 series win over Australia on Sunday, the vaccinations will need to come soon.

Several high-profile Test players, including Williamson, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson are due on the subcontinent for the Indian Premier League (IPL), which begins on April 9.

They won't return home after the IPL, instead heading straight on to England for two Test matches and the World Test Championship final against India in June.

As the Pfizer vaccine currently being administered in NZ requires 21 days between the two vaccinations, those jabs will need to be prioritised this week if they are to fulfil all their cricketing obligations.

Fresh from defeating Australia 3-2 in a T20 series on Sunday, Mr White said the chance to be the first World Test Champions was a tremendous opportunity.

"It's fantastic. We're so excited. The team has done fantastically well to qualify," he said.

"To play in the inaugural championship and to play against India is huge, the global exposure. Our guys are really excited at the opportunity."

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