Tairawhiti's vaccine roll-out remains ahead of schedule with over 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine having gone into arms throughout the region as of Thursday 24 June, 2021.
Between Hauora Tairawhiti, Ngati Porou Hauora and Turanga Health, 10,194 doses have been administered.
As of June 20, 7.6 percent (3790) of people in region were fully vaccinated with two doses, and 12.6 percent (6404) had received their first dose.
We are 1412 shots ahead of our plan, or 17 percent ahead of schedule.
Graph Source: Ministry of Health
Covid-19 vaccination programme co-ordinator Sandi French said they were on track with their vaccination plan.
“We planned to start vaccinating more people in June and this is what is happening. While the Ministry of Health is carefully managing vaccine stocks before the large delivery in July, the local approach to vaccine distribution means we are sticking to our plan.
“More than 30 nurses trained to administer the Pfizer vaccine are vaccinating Tairawhiti people.
“Vaccinations take place at the city-based vaccination centre and in mobile clinics that have visited rest homes and rural communities.”
At this stage, the rollout of the vaccine is only open to those in Group 3.
“People over 65, who have an underlying health condition, are pregnant, disabled, or are caring for someone who is disabled are in Group 3.
“People in Group 3 are encouraged to arrange their vaccine appointments by calling the local vaccination centre on 0800 675 432 or emailing covidvaccinations@tdh.org.nz
“If the phone isn't answered immediately, please leave a message. Vaccine centre staff will call you back. You must have an appointment to be vaccinated. The vaccination centre will not accept walk-ins.”
Hauora Tairawhiti is working with general practices and iwi health providers to identify people who fall into Group 3 and may find it harder to arrange vaccination.
“We are seeing more people as the groups being vaccinated overlap. Vaccination of groups is not just a straight sequence. We have vaccinated a significant portion of groups 1 and 2 and this will continue while we vaccinate Group 3 over the next couple of months.”
“We will not finish vaccinating Group 3 before we start vaccinating Group 4 in July. Vaccinating this group will continue until everyone who wants a vaccine has received it.”
Vaccines will be available for Group 4 in rolling “bands” from July 28, with a national online booking system online paired with a new national call centre.
Starting July 28, people aged 60 and over are eligible for the vaccine, followed from August 11 by those 55 and over.
By October, everyone 16 years and over are set to be eligible for the vaccine.