‘One-stop shops’ easy way to vaccinate

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

TAIRĀWHITI health officials are launching winter immunisation events across the region.

The campaign is a collaborative approach between Ngāti Porou Oranga, Turanga Health, Te Whatu Ora-Tairāwhiti and Pinnacle Health.

“In gearing up for winter we encourage all whānau to pop down to their local GP or community immunisation event to get their flu vaccinations,” said Tairāwhiti vaccination and winter preparedness event coordinator Dianne Akurangi.

“There are whānau days and drive-thru vaccination events being organised around the region. These will be ‘one-stop vaccination shops’, meaning you can receive your Covid-19, MMR, HPV, whooping cough and hapū mama vaccinations, as well as your flu shot.”

From Saturday, eligibility has also been expanded for additional Covid-19 boosters.

“Tamariki can also receive their childhood immunisations (NZ National Immunisation Schedule),” Ms Akurangi said.

“This is a great time for kaumatua to come and receive their flu vaccinations in preparation for winter.

“We have many children in Tairāwhiti who are behind in their scheduled immunisations or are due now. Please come along to one of these fun events.

“By holding these whānau days we are making it easier for whānau to access health service like immunisation.”

 Covid boosters will be available to —

■ Anyone aged 30 and over who has completed a primary course, as long as it has been at least six months since their last Covid-19 booster or positive Covid-19 test.   

■ Anyone at increased risk of severe illness from Covid-19 who has completed a primary course, as long as it has been at least six months since their last Covid-19 booster or positive Covid-19 test.

These high-risk groups include — 

■ People aged 65 years and over. 

■ Māori and Pacific peoples aged 50 years and over. 

■ Residents of aged-care and disability care facilities. 

■ Severely immunocompromised people. 

■ People aged 16 years and over who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe breakthrough Covid-19 illness. 

■ People aged 16 years and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities.

In all instances the additional booster dose can only be administered to eligible people who have completed a primary Covid-19 vaccination course and whose most recent Covid-19 vaccine or positive Covid-19 test was at least six months ago, irrespective of how many prior booster doses that person has received.

Whānau Days  

Static Vaccinations

Cobham School: Sunday, April 2, 10am-2pm

Te Araroa Playground, Friday, April 7, 3pm-6pm

Ruatoria Skate Park, Saturday, April 8, 10am-1pm

Uawa/Tolaga Bay, Saturday, April 15, 10am-1pm

Manutuke-Te Arai Domain, Sunday, April 16, 10am-2pm

Patutahi/Ngatapa Sports Club, Sunday, April 30, 10am-2pm

Drive-Thru Vaccinations

Muriwai-Tamanuhiri Marae, Sunday, April 2, 1pm-3pm

Whatatutu-Mangatu Marae, Sunday, April 16, 1pm-3pm

Waihirere-Waiherere Marae, Sunday, April 23, 1pm-3pm

Waerenga-o-Kuri/Waerenga-o-Kuri Community Hall, Sunday, April 23, 1pm-3pm

Matawai-Matawai School, Sunday, April 30, 1pm-3pm