Māori leaders’ mana carrying jab message

Early indications are a campaign encouraging Māori to get vaccinated is working, but the South Canterbury District Health Board still has work to do.

The DHB’s director of Māori Health Joseph Tyro (Ngā i Tahu, Te Ā ti Haunui-a-Pā pā rangi, Ngā ti Rangi) said more than 90 per cent of kaumatua (elders) in the region had received both vaccine doses, contributing to the 68 per cent of eligible Mā ori now fully vaccinated.

As at 11.59pm on December 1, 82 per cent of Māori eligible for the vaccine in the South Canterbury catchment area have had a first dose, which is 10 per cent behind the overall total for the region.

Tyro said the key to improving the rate of vaccination was in building trust with Mā ori, though there was no one reason or simple solution for vaccine hesitancy.

‘‘A lot of data shows the younger 20 to 29-year-olds are slower at getting vaccinated,’’ he said.

In an effort to encourage those yet to do so, the DHB is working with Arowhenua Whanau Services which operated pop-up clinics in Temuka, Waimate and Twizel.

Tewera King (Ngā i Tahu) ū poko (head) of Arowhenua and Waihao Marae had stepped up to support the SCDHB programme and be a Covid champion, alongside young Mā ori leader Ryan Brosnahan (Ngā i Tahu) and Te Aitarakihi kaumatua as role models for Mā ori.

‘‘Tewera has a lot of mana and is highly respected. He can reach into the Mā ori community and support whā nau and educate,’’ Tyro said.

King appears in a promotional campaign for the SCDHB, sharing his reason for getting vaccinated.

He says: ‘‘I researched credible and reliable information about the Covid-19 vaccine and got all the facts before I made the decision to get the vaccine. When it comes down to it, I did it to protect myself, my whā nau and all the people I love. I believe vaccination is the best way to keep all of us safe from Covid-19.’’

Tyro said King’s message had already had an impact, with some people who attended a pop-up clinic at Temuka on Saturday telling staff there they had only come to get vaccinated because they has seen King on a poster and read his reasons for being vaccinated.

Tyro said he was confident South Canterbury Mā ori would reach the 90 per cent vaccination target, but would not make any predictions on when that may happen.

He expects 2022 will also be challenging, and we will learn to live with Covid in the community.

‘‘I’m confident that the health system and community will be well prepared. I am proud of our health system and wider community,’’ Tyro said.

Arowhenua Whanau Services will operate a walk in vaccine clinic over Christmas and New Year at its premises at 12 Elizabeth St, in

Timaru, from 9.30am to 4pm on December 7, 14 and 21. There will also be clinic at Arowhenua Whanau Services in Temuka from 10am to 3pm on December 29, 30 and 31 and January 5, 6 and 7. The services also offers help for people having difficulty creating their vaccination passes.

Ashbury Pharmacy is open for vaccinations by appointment today and tomorrow from 11am to 5pm.

A full list of vaccination services in South Canterbury can be found at healthpoint.co.nz/covid19-vaccination/south-canterbury.