Whanganui letters: 'Every single vaccination matters'

There are many reasons to be vaccinated, writes one reader. Photo / NZME

Great correspondence re the need for vaccinations and the right to choose to limit one's association with unvaccinated people.

Not discrimination, just another freedom of choice. I agree with the reasons put forward recently.

There's another aspect as well – reducing transmission and, so, reducing the likelihood of mutation (which could set us way back, close to square one again).

Every single vaccination matters. It saves lives and protects those who cannot receive a vaccine, reduces stress on our medical people, reduces the need for isolation, reduces the potential for long Covid, reduces the likelihood of the virus mutating ... and so on.

I love being a part of my grandchildren's lives, still with great care to avoid exposure to possible infection but with the respect and consideration they deserve.

Finally, thank you to Hamish McDouall for his comments on Saturday's front page.

I've been hoping for vaccine encouragement from our elected local representatives (council and DHB), and wonder if they might choose to be more active, or maybe more visible, in working toward the 90 per cent-plus fully vaccinated target.

NICKI HIGGIE
Whanganui

Segregating won't halt Covid

Carole Webb tells us that "You can catch Covid from an unvaccinated person and pass it on, even if you yourself are vaccinated."

Stan Hood tells us that "Those who are not vaccinated risk infecting others."

Both acknowledge that a vaccinated person can both catch Covid and transmit it to others, yet both ignore the fact they have just admitted. Namely, that people can catch Covid from vaccinated people.

Both pretend that it is only the unvaccinated who are a danger, somehow equating "unvaccinated" with "Covid-carrier".

The Government announced the vaccine status of current Covid-positive hospitalisations on November 20.

Four were unknown, 38 were unvaccinated, 17 were partly vaccinated, and 16 were fully vaccinated. Any of those could have infected others, vaccinated or not.

Overseas we see some of the most vaccinated places in the world having new surges of Covid among their vaccinated populations.

Many are rushing to promote vaccine third or fourth shots as boosters. Will this lead to people who don't have the booster shot(s) being pronounced "unvaccinated" in the coming months?

Segregating and vilifying the unvaccinated will not halt the spread of Covid among the fully vaccinated. Nor will pretending that all unvaccinated have Covid and are walking pariahs.

F R HALPIN
Whanganui

Vaccination campaign needed

I note with some consternation how Whanganui has a relatively low vaccination rate.

I'm not sure why that should be, but I suggest the local DHB, council and other bodies, both public and private, try to increase the rate by launching special events and publicity campaigns.

The Whanganui Chronicle and local social media outlets could also help in this. It is only a matter of time before the coronavirus reaches this area and we have no time to lose.

ADRIAN HART
Whanganui

Ed's note: The Chronicle's 90% Project campaign coverage can be found in the daily paper, with previous stories available on our website