Stuff Digital Edition

Northland grinds towards vaccinations milestone

DENISE PIPER

NORTHLAND is yet to vaccinate 90 per cent of adults with at least one jab against Covid-19, a month after it became the last district health board yet to reach the milestone.

Tai Tokerau has now partially vaccinated 89 per cent of its population over 12, and 85 per cent have received two doses.

But it is still about 1500 first jabs and 7300 second jabs shy of reaching the 90 per cent double-vaccinated goal.

The second-to-last district health board, Whanganui, reached the 90 per cent first dose milestone on December 16.

Northland’s low vaccination rates are one reason why it is the only region still under red restrictions in the Covid-19 Protection Framework, and why iwi insisted on running border patrols.

But the news is not all bad for the north – health practitioners believe a steady increase in vaccine numbers will continue until the 90 per cent double-vaccinated goal is reached.

‘‘I think we’re getting there,’’ Dr Katharina Blattner, a Hauora Hokianga practitioner and University of Otago senior lecturer in rural health, said.

‘‘Before Christmas we were 84 per cent and now we’re 89 per cent – it’s moving up, and compared with the rest of the world we’re doing well.’’

Blattner said that although other Northland clinics may have closed over the Christmas holidays for a quick break, Hauora Hokianga nurses were busy with vaccinations, swabs, tracking close contacts and hospital shifts.

Now that children were able to get paediatric doses, more resources might be needed in rural areas to help health staff meet the demand, she said.

Jeanette Wedding, Northland District Health Board’s Covid-19 vaccination programme senior responsible officer, also believed the 90 per cent doublevaccinated goal was in sight.

‘‘We are confident that Northland will reach that goal and continue to offer as many opportunities throughout the region for our people to get vaccinated,’’ she said.

Wedding said promotions to thank Northlanders for getting vaccinated and protecting the population would continue – including giving out grocery vouchers.

The health board’s main promotion is a sponsored car, which will be given away once 90 per cent are double-vaccinated. All fully vaccinated Northlanders go into the draw.

Meanwhile, most Ma¯ ori health providers in Tai Tokerau continue to offer incentives and entertainment to encourage wha¯ nau to come along, Wedding said.

Shifting to the Covid Protection Framework or Traffic Light System, which has a heavy emphasis on vaccine certificates, resulted in a boost in vaccination numbers, she said.

‘‘However, most importantly, this initiative helps keep our community safe, alongside our regular messaging about wearing masks, washing hands and good hygiene practices, using the Covid-19 app and staying home and getting tested if you are unwell.’’

Vaccinations are available from general practices, pharmacies and vaccine clinics throughout Northland.

‘We are confident that Northland will reach that [90 per cent doublevaccinated] goal.’ JEANETTE WEDDING Northland District Health Board

NEWS

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2022-01-16T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-16T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281651078471082

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