As case numbers and hospitalisations begin to decline,
and the warmer months approach, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha
Canterbury has a timely reminder that COVID-19 doesn’t
rely on cold conditions to spread.
“Being up to date
with your vaccinations is as important now as ever, because
we know that COVID-19 is going to become our new normal,”
said Senior Responsible Officer for Winter Planning, Becky
Hickmott.
“Across the Waitaha Canterbury health
system, there is a concerted effort underway by community
health providers to increase vaccinations, specifically in
areas of the community with lower rates.”
Local
COVID-19 vaccination rates vary depending on eligibility.
While primary vaccination rates are high, only three
quarters of the community (76%) have maintained their
protection through a booster, and only 10% of those eligible
for a second booster have taken the opportunity. Tamariki
vaccination rates vary between 26-40% across the
region.
“Vaccination clinics are actually scaling up
again to offer COVID-19 boosters, with additional pharmacies
and general practices joining the vaccination programme each
week,” said Becky Hickmott.
An equitable
approach
“We are focusing our efforts to ensure
that vaccinations are easily accessible by everyone. We work
closely with Māori, Pasifika, migrant and disability health
providers to support culturally appropriate and accessible
vaccination services across the region,” Becky Hickmott
said.
Some of the greatest successes of the local
vaccination programme have been the mobile clinics. These
targeted clinics reach small groups that might not otherwise
have travelled to a vaccination centre, supporting
communities to protect themselves and each
other.
“It’s about going that step further to
ensure culturally appropriate accessibility to vaccinations.
Taking a whanaungatanga approach, demonstrating
manaakitanga, and taking teams of vaccinators to where the
need is,” said Becky Hickmott.
“Recently, for
instance, Ngāi Tūāhuriri teamed up with vaccinators to
bring whānau and the wider community together at Tuahiwi
Marae. Likewise, the Māui vaccination clinic at South City
is renowned for its warm and welcoming whānau approach,
while health workers across the system are ensuring that any
patient who has not enrolled with a health provider is
supported to do so. A recent nurse vaccinator clinic in
Ashburton assisted several Pasifika people to enrol with the
local general practice.”
The BookMyVaccine website
has now enabled group bookings of up to 30 people, so
whānau groups can attend together, with translation and
accessible options available.
Many vaccination clinics
also provide flu and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
vaccinations as well, making it easy for people to ensure
they are fully up to date.
“The reality is that
although we’re doing more than 10,000 vaccinations a week,
rates for tamariki and for second boosters are still too low
in Canterbury. Despite the downward trend for new community
cases in Aotearoa, there are still high levels of COVID-19
infection in the community.
“It’s particularly
important that you have the booster dose or doses to protect
you against severe disease.
“Everyone aged 50 and
over is now eligible for their second booster dose six
months after their first booster. If you’ve had COVID-19 it
is recommended you wait 3 months after testing positive
before getting any COVID-19 vaccination.
“We will
continue to focus on these vaccinations so that our
community is prepared for the inevitable next wave of
COVID-19, and to raise all vaccination rates for general
community health,” Becky Hickmott said.
“People
can find their nearest vaccination clinic online at bookmyvaccine.nz or by
calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29
26.”
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