93% of Taranaki people are now fully vaccinated
90% of Taranaki Māori have received their first dose
37,113 booster shots have been administered
36% of Taranaki tamariki have received their first dose
A total of 216,581 doses have been administered to Taranaki people
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Taranaki Programme Weekly Update
The momentum and progress the COVID-19 vaccination programme is experiencing as booster shots and tamariki vaccinations become more and more important is wonderful to see - thank you to the whole Taranaki community for stepping up and doing what is best for themselves, their whānau and the community as a whole.
A hard-won milestone was reached this week, with 90% of Maori living in Taranaki now partially vaccinated – and only 747 second doses are needed to reach 90% fully vaccinated.
Delivering an equitable roll-out of the vaccination programme is a perpetual challenge for everyone involved, but through collaboration and co-operation great progress is being made and lessons learned for the future.
Together, Tui Ora, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngaruahine, GP clinics, community pharmacies and the Taranaki DHB vaccination team continue putting in the hard mahi to provide Taranaki with the best protection against the COVID-19 virus.
And everyone can play their part by booking to receive their booster dose, taking their tamariki to receive their vaccination, wearing masks, sanitising hands and scanning in when out and about. Omicron is in our community so being extra careful and keeping transmission rates as low as possible is vital.
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Boosters are the best way to fight Omicron
It is critical that everyone who can gets their booster shot this month so we can slow down the spread of the virus through our communities, keep more people well, and help our hospitals to provide care for everyone who needs it.
To avoid queues and long wait times, its best to book where you can - go to Book My Vaccine to find your most convenient vaccination clinic, or call 0800 28 29 26 (8am-8pm, 7 days). You can book in your entire whānau, including any tamariki aged 5-11 years-old.
Eligible front-line health and disability workers, and those who work at the border and in a MIQ facility, need to have received their booster shot by 15 February in accordance with the mandate issued on 23 January.
Who is eligible to receive a booster?
You must be 18 years or older to receive a booster dose, and have received your second dose at least four months ago. If you work in a mandated role but are under 18 years old and have had your primary vaccination course, you are able to continue to work.
What is the booster shot?
The booster shot is the same Pfizer vaccine you received for your first and second doses. It works by 'boosting' the immunity your body built up when you first vaccinated to maintain the best level of protection possible.
Data is emerging that a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine provides better protection than a two-dose course against the Omicron variant alone. While the initial two doses still provide some degree of protection against severe disease from Omicron, a booster is likely to offer greater protection against transmitting the virus to others and reduce the chance of more serious infections.
Are there side-effects?
If you experienced side-effects when you had your primary doses, it is likely you will have a similar experience after your booster shot such as a sore arm, feeling tired or 'under-the-weather' for a day or so, and/or a headache.
Drinking plenty of water after your vaccination can help alleviate these symptoms.
Myocarditis and pericarditis are more serious, but very rare, side effects.
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is inflammation of the tissue forming a sac around the heart. These conditions are usually caused by viral infections (including COVID-19), but they are also very rare and serious side effects of the Pfizer vaccine.
Symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis linked to the vaccine generally appear within a few days, and mostly within the first few weeks after having the vaccine. If you get any of these new symptoms after your vaccination, you should seek medical help, especially if these symptoms don’t go away:
- tightness, heaviness, discomfort or pain in your chest or neck
- difficulty breathing or catching your breath
- feeling faint or dizzy or light-headed
- fluttering, racing or pounding heart, or feeling like it is ‘skipping beats’.
If you feel any of these symptoms in the days or weeks after receiving your vaccination, you should see a GP – there will be no charge for the consultation. You can also call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 anytime to get advice.
Remember that our vaccinators are always happy to answer questions and talk through any concerns you may have.
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It's a family affair at Tui Ora
We encourage people to book child vaccination appointments online to avoid the risk of waiting in queues, but walk-ins are still welcome. Book your tamariki in for their vaccine today by visiting BookMyVaccine.nz or call the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.
Tui Ora are welcoming many family groups into their vaccination clinics to receive booster shots alongside tamariki vaccinations, making sure the whole whānau are protected against the COVID-19 virus.
Koro Hayden Wano, Tui Ora's CEO, came along to awhi granddaughter Amiria Hayman (9) when she received her tamariki vaccination, with mum Sarah Hayman-Wano also on hand. Aunty Emere and Uncle Whare took the opportunity to get their boosters at the same time (image above). Ka rawe!
In Waitara, Koro Tracy Barrakat (84) received his booster while mokopuna Imani Baker-Nyman (10) and her brother Mason Baker-Nyman (8) had their first vaccination (Left).
In the first week of the 5-11-year-old vaccination roll-out, 77 tamariki visited Tui Ora clinics, with 1,281 children being vaccinated across Taranaki.
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Misinformation and tamariki vaccinations
As a parent, making the right decision on behalf of your children is a constant challenge, especially when there is conflicting information swirling around.
But there are ways to address the issue that could help parents, guardians and caregivers make the right decision for their tamariki when it comes to being vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Make sure the information you are using to make your decision is from a reliable source. Ask yourself if the facts and figures being quoted seem realistic - and do they tell the full story? Much of the anti-vax propaganda in the community at the moment uses statistics or study results and uses them out of context to support their rhetoric.
- Look at information from a variety of sources - the internet is a very large place and looking at just one site may not give you the full picture. Ask yourself if there may be a not-so-hidden agenda.
- Talk to friends and whānau, get different perspectives.
- Pop into a vaccination clinic and ask for a chat with the team. They are more than happy to talk through concerns, answer questions and support you as you decide what to do.
Many parents are worried about side effects but for the vast majority of children these are limited to a sore arm or feeling a bit 'off-colour' for a day or two. They will be back to their normal balls of energy in no time!
One of the best resources for sourcing the facts about the COVID-19 is the Unite Against COVID-19 website, which has extensive information about vaccination for children and young people.
It includes FAQs, the benefits of being vaccinated, explains how the vaccine works and links to other resources,
Take a look and make the right decision for you and your child - Vaccination for children and young people | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
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Talking to friends and family
Having vaccination conversations can be difficult when different perspectives and opinions are part of the kōrero.
This helpful guide provides tips and advice about how to have a productive conversation, without accusation or upset, to build trust and provide support for those who may still be deciding whether to get vaccinated.
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Where can I get vaccinated?
Check out the Taranaki DHB website for the latest updates on clinics and other important information
Tui Ora, Ngati Ruanui and Ngaruahine regularly post information about clinics on their Facebook pages so are well worth checking out.
COVID-19 Vaccination • Taranaki • Healthpoint has information about community pharmacies and GP clinics - not all our partner-providers are offering paediatric vaccinations so it's best to check (and book) before you go. |
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