Central Hawke’s Bay celebrates 90% fully vaccinated milestone

14 Jan 2022, 12:41

Central Hawke’s Bay can today celebrate a milestone of achieving 90 percent of its eligible population now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Hawke’s Bay DHB COVID-19 Vaccination Senior Responsible Officer Chris Mckenna said today the vaccine rollout in Central Hawke’s Bay was a team effort by its council, iwi, general practice, hauora providers and the DHB with 11,350 people having had both doses as of this morning.

“Reaching 90 percent fully vaccinated is a fantastic milesone to achieve and means the community is in a better position to be protected from COVID-19. However, the mahi doesn’t stop here as many people are now due for their booster dose which is so important to get as it provides the best protection against the Omicron variant.

“Anyone yet to get up-to-date with their vaccinations should get this done as soon as possible as there are many vaccine opportunities available in Central Hawke’s Bay.

“Fully vaccinated people are less likely to get sick with the virus, less likely to pass it on and are much less likely to get seriously ill or require hospital care.”

Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker said teamwork had been crucial to the Central Hawke’s Bay community hitting the 90 percent fully vaccinated mark this week.

“It was vital that every person, in every part of our district could access vaccination and teamwork has got us there. Together with Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea, Council has worked alongside the DHB and health services to ensure that the vaccine rollout works for us – by local people, for local people.

“With full hospital services up to an hour and a half away from some parts of Central Hawke’s Bay, we need to ensure that we have done all we can to minimise the impacts of COVID-19 when it reaches us and having such a high vaccination rate is a very good place to start from,” Mayor Walker said.

Important Information

From next week, 17 January 2022, children aged between five and 11 years will be able to get protected against COVID-19 by being vaccinated with a child (paediatric) dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds is a lower dose and smaller volume that the adult dose with tamariki needing two doses of the vaccine at least eight weeks apart to be fully protected from COVID-19.

Child (5-11-year-old) vaccination clinics to be held in Central Hawke’s Bay week of 17 January include:

Unichem Waipukurau Monday 17 to Thursday 20 January 10am to 12noon and 2pm to 5pm. By booked appointment only, phone to book on (06) 858-8060

Tuki Tuki Medical Centre Saturday and Sunday 12.30pm - 3.30pm Make a booking via www.bookmyvaccine.nz

Parents/caregivers can also book via their vaccinating GP or find an apointment time and location that suits them via www.bookmyvaccine.nz.

12 years and over 1st, 2nd dose + boosters

COVID-19 vaccine clinics to be held in Central Hawke’s Bay this weekend (15 and 16 January 2022) for people aged 12 years and over, including boosters are: