79% (up 3.9%) of Taranaki people are fully vaccinated
89% (up 1.1%) of Taranaki people have received their first dose
61% (up 5.2%) of Taranaki Māori are fully vaccinated
78% (up 4%) of Taranaki Māori have received their first dose
76% (up 4.1%) of Taranaki Pacific people are fully vaccinated
91% (up 2.2%) of Taranaki Pacific people have received their first dose
171,037
doses have been administered to people living in Taranaki
1,399
first doses to go to reach 90%
(as of Nov 24, 2021. Percentages indicate increase over the last seven days)
|
|
|
Taranaki Programme Weekly Update
This week we celebrated a significant milestone with the Taranaki Pasifica community exceeding the 90% milestone for first doses.
The figure for the total eligible Taranaki population is also very close to the first dose 90% milestone, currently sitting at 89% with 1,399 doses to go, while Māori are up 4.0% on last week at 78%. Over 60% of Māori (61%) are now fully vaccinated.
This is testament to the hard mahi by the vaccination programme, Te Aranga, our Māori health partner providers Tui Ora, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngaruahine, our vaccinating GP clinics and pharmacies, and numerous community groups and individuals – a truly Taranaki effort for Taranaki people.
But we will not be resting on our laurels. The focus on increasing engagement with our Māori whānau continues, with fantastic work from the kaiārahi teams out knocking on doors and initiating kōrero helping to keep Māori vaccination rates continue the upward trend.
We are also looking for new ways of improving accessibility for people, with the basketball tournament this weekend (see below for more details), some upcoming after-hours rural clinics for busy farmers, and the opening of a new vaccination clinic in Centre City just a few examples.
Vaccination key to a summer of freedom
The introduction of the new traffic light system next week means there will be more restrictions on where you can go and what you do without proof of your vaccination status.
'My Vaccine Pass’ allows you to attend events and visit locations across New Zealand, while the International Travel Vaccination Certificate allows you to travel overseas (yay!).
To get one, go to My Covid Record or use your NZ Covid Tracer App.
From the app’s sign-in screen, click the Dashboard icon (bottom-left), then click 'My Covid Record' (under 'Announcement') OR the 'More info' tab to create your My Health Account. Once you have done this, you will be automatically issued with your vaccine pass to save into your phone.
If you don’t have access to a smartphone or a computer, call the My Vaccine Pass helpline on 0800 222 478. Have your National Health Index (NHI) code ready, or be ready to answer a few questions to confirm your identity. Someone can call on your behalf, but must have your permission to do so.
Find out more at My Vaccine Pass.
AstraZeneca roll-out
Bookings open tomorrow for anyone wishing to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, subject to requirements.
AstraZeneca clinics will be held at the New Plymouth Vaccination Centre between 5pm and 8pm, and the Hāwera Vaccination centre at the TSB Hub between 3.30pm and 6.30pm from next week (1 December). These clinics are available for scheduled appointments only - visit BookMyVaccine.nz or call 0800 29 28 26 to book.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is available for those aged 18 and older who cannot receive the Pfizer vaccine, and for people who would like a different option. Two doses are needed, between four and 12 weeks apart, and it is important to get both doses to gain the best protection.
If you have already received a Pfizer first dose vaccination, and wish to change to AstraZeneca for your second, you will need a prescription, available from your GP or our on-site prescriber, if it agreed this is the best option for you. The same applies if you wish to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine as your booster shot.
To find out more about the AstraZeneca vaccine and if it is right for you, visit COVID-19: AstraZeneca vaccines | Ministry of Health NZ |
|
|
|
|
Keep your vouchers or give them to Foodbank
Everyone receiving a vaccination this November will receive a $20 voucher of their choice (from the range available).
If you would like to donate your voucher, please let your vaccinator know and we will make sure it goes to one of the foodbanks across Taranaki.
|
|
|
Doing it for their whānau
Sisters and young mums Hannah and Shania (left and middle) pictured with friend Sydonia had their first jab at the Tui Ora vaccination clinic on Maratahu Street this week.
Hannah on the left, holding eight-month old Connor, says she wants to be able to travel freely this summer:
She said, “Our mother lives in Australia and we want to be able to visit her or for her to feel safe visiting us.”
Shania, holding seven-week old Noah, agreed. “Family is really important to us – and (getting vaccinated means) just being able to move around this summer and not miss out.”
Sydonia is not worried about her own health too much, but is worried about older relatives who would be more vulnerable if they were to contract COVID-19
“I also want to get a job and save so I can move to Aussie, and lots of jobs require you to have a vaccine now if you are working with people.”
All three admitted that up until yesterday they had been scared about getting the vaccine.
“There’s been a lot of stuff on the internet that made me worried,” says Hannah. “But I really don’t want to get Covid or have my babies catch it from me either.”
All three wāhine toa felt they had done the right thing after getting vaccinated and were still smiling (under their masks) in the observation area – with no one suffering from any side effects. Ka Rawe!
|
|
Green for Go for Taranaki?
Aotearoa is scheduled to move into its new Traffic Light System at midnight of December 2 (Thursday) and getting vaccinated is the key to enjoying the new freedoms it can bring.
The COVID-19 Protection Framework has red, amber and green levels, and being fully vaccinated will enable people to move more freely than they could under the stricter levels that were formerly in place.
Here's a quick overview;
Green
Green is when there aren’t many people with COVID-19 in New Zealand, there are enough doctors and nurses to look after the unwell, and hospitalisation levels are manageable.
When vaccine certificates are required
There will be no limit on numbers at events and gatherings, and attendees can stand and sit closely together. They can travel all over New Zealand and go to markets, shops, workplaces, public facilities, schools, education providers, marae events, community events and more.
When vaccine certificates aren’t required
There will be restrictions. E.g. Cafes, restaurants, pubs, gym and those organising gatherings or events are limited to hosting 100 people, and those attending must sit or stand a metre apart.
In other places where people stand or sit close together, the people working in these places must also wear a face covering and everyone should remain a metre apart.
Orange
At orange, increased covid community transmission will be putting pressure on the health system. There may be increasing risk for vulnerable people.
When vaccine certificates are required
If people aren’t required to have a vaccine certificate at places or events there will be some rules. Cafes, restaurants and pubs can’t be open for people to go inside and can only have contactless pick-up and delivery. At gatherings like weddings or church services, there will be a limit of 50 people at the same time, and they must each be one metre apart.
When vaccine certificates aren’t required
Indoor and outdoor events, gyms and other places where people stand or sit close together will be vetoed from opening/proceeding if they decide people don’t need a vaccination certificate.
Red
Action needs to be taken to protect at-risk people and protect our health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations.
When vaccine certificates are required
You can still enjoy going to places like cafes, restaurants, pubs, weddings, church services, shops, public facilities, workplaces, education providers, gyms and some community events, but there will be health measures in place, such as restrictions of 100 people and one-metre distancing.
When vaccine certificates aren’t required
Cafes, restaurants and pubs can’t allow people inside and must have contactless pick-up and delivery. Gatherings like weddings and church services have a limit of 10 people and must impose one-metre distancing. Tertiary learners must study at home, and attending the gym and events will be off the agenda.
|
|
|
Shoot some hoops and WIN!
A three-on-three basketball tournament, with three age groups, FREE entry, heaps of giveaways, live music and kai is taking place around the mountain this weekend.
The Taranaki MountainAIRS, Basketball Taranaki and Taranaki DHB have teamed up to bring this slam-dunk of a competition to the Inglewood, Stratford, Waitara, Opunake, Hāwera and New Plymouth communities.
Our vaccination team will be courtside to answer questions, talk through any concerns and administer jabs if wanted.
Get your team entry in at www.tdhb.org.nz/covid19/airs.shtml, or just turn up on the day.
|
|
Don't forget you can still book an appointment at one of our main vaccination centres, with one of our GP or pharmacy partner-providers, or with your Māori health provider - whatever works for you!
It is so easy to do - the online booking portal Book My Vaccine makes the process very straightforward - and has a booking availability tool so you can see at a glance where clinics are and what appointment times they have free.
Check out if your doctor is offering COVID-19 vaccinations at Healthpoint.
|
|
|
|
|
|
