The head of the Covid-19 vaccination rollout says the virus is headed for Taranaki and will have a huge impact on the province.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Vaccination programme leader Bevan Clayton-Smith said with cases reported in Raglan and Hamilton, and an alert level 3 lockdown in place just across the district border, he could not stress the importance of getting inoculated as soon as possible.
"Make no mistake, Covid-19 is headed for Taranaki, and the impact it will have on our whole community should not be underestimated," Clayton-Smith said.
The solution to the Covid-19 problem was here already and it was free, safe and effective, he said.
"Get vaccinated. It's as simple as that. Get vaccinated now to stop this virus from damaging our Taranaki communities, our loved ones and our way of life. Protect what you hold dear."
Clayton-Smith said there were hundreds of free vaccination appointment slots right across the rohe and extra pop-up clinics opening on a regular basis.
"We are encouraging people to reach out to us if they are experiencing difficulties in accessing their vaccination."
More than 300 people from Taranaki's most isolated settlements received their first dose of the vaccination last week as part of a rural communities clinic around the mountain tour.
"We are delighted with the fantastic response from our rural communities, and very pleased we were able to remove the barriers of time and distance to receiving their vaccination for them," Clayton-Smith said.
"Ensuring that every eligible person in Taranaki has the opportunity to be vaccinated has long been a central kaupapa for the programme, and rural clinics are an important part of that for the region."
The tour continues for another two weeks, visiting another 10 communities including Rahotu, Pīhama, Auroa, Kaponga and Mimi, to administer first dose vaccinations.
The vaccination team will return for second dose clinics in November.
The DHB has vaccinated 300 people in the first week of a mobile rollout to remote Taranaki settlements.