Footage of Wellington border worker vaccinations and Jacinda Ardern on rollout of Covid-19 vaccine.
About 200 of the 500 Rotorua managed isolation staff have been vaccinated in the first week since the Covid-19 vaccine has been rolled out in the region.
Vaccinations began at the Port of Tauranga this week also, with about 500 people needing to be vaccinated in the next four tosix weeks.
Lakes District Health Board said it had started immunising a few of the household contacts of staff and contractors at the three Rotorua managed isolation facilities.
Vaccines are not mandatory for Port of Tauranga workers but the ramifications for those who refuse at manager isolation facilities are dependent on a range of factors. Photo / File
"Only a few of these staff are being done now when there is a spare vaccine available at the end of the day," a spokeswoman said.
"We would expect the rest to be done in the next month.
"Then next in line are frontline, non-border health workers who are at risk of exposure to Covid-19 while providing care. For example ED staff, staff working in diagnostics, ambulance drivers, GPs, GP surgery practice nurses and receptionists."
The remaining general public vaccinations were expected to begin in the second half of 2021 in accordance with the Government's outline.
The spokeswoman said the immunisations had gone smoothly so far, with no adverse reactions.
When asked what would happen to those who refused a vaccine, the spokeswoman said it was dependent on who it was, their occupation, and a range of health and safety considerations.
Vaccines are not mandatory for Port of Tauranga workers but the ramifications for those who refuse at manager isolation facilities are dependent on a range of factors. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty DHB Covid-19 response manager Helen De Vere said based on previous swabbing work at the Port of Tauranga, about 400 to 500 port workers would be eligible to be vaccinated, with port workers' whānau prioritised next.
"The port workers vaccination programme should take around four to six weeks."
A Port of Tauranga spokeswoman said they were encouraging employees to get vaccinated but ultimately it was up to the individual to take up the offer.
"The vaccination is not mandatory. Port workers will still need to take all the current safety measures – including the use of PPE when required, regular testing and physical distancing – even if they are vaccinated.
"We understand those workers who are regularly tested for Covid-19 are the first group to be offered vaccinations, and their household bubbles will be the next group."
All you need to know on the Covid-19 vaccine
How many doses of the vaccine does each person need? The recommended dose is two jabs, 21 days apart. It's not yet known if people will need to get a new jab each year.
Where have the vaccines come from? New Zealand has pre-purchased four vaccines, from firms Pfizer and BioNTech; Janssen Pharmaceutica; Novavax; and AstraZeneca.
