COVID-19 vaccination rollout reaches halfway point

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8 September 2021 

 

The Whanganui region’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout passed a significant milestone on Tuesday 7 September.

 

With a total eligible population aged 12 years and over of 55,253, the target for full vaccination with two shots of the Pfizer vaccine is 110,506 doses.

 

At 4.12pm at a clinic run by Te Oranganui at St Mary’s Church in Whanganui, the halfway point was reached with the 55,253rd dose being delivered.

 

With 802 doses delivered in the day, the total stood at 55,349 as at 8am on Wednesday 8 September. That total represents 36.5 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated.

 

Louise Allsopp, senior responsible officer for the rollout, said it was pleasing to pass the halfway mark.

 

And she acknowledged the positive response of the Whanganui community which had turned out in such strong numbers to get vaccinated.

 

“We really want to thank the people across our rohe. From the urban areas to the rural areas, they have come out to get vaccinated and played their part in protecting the vulnerable in our community.”

 

Allsopp said the progress was also due to a lot of hard work and long hours from the vaccination teams – “Both district health board staff, and partners and providers in the community”.

 

“And we have more GPs on board and the first pharmacies set to join the rollout, so the outlook for the rest of the year is very positive.

 

“The challenge now is to keep our equity focus and make sure we boost uptake for Māori and Pasifika, and also to continue to work on reaching our more remote communities.”