A shortage of Covid-19 vaccinators is a threat to the success of Auckland's roll-out - and staff safety, according to an Auckland District Health Board report.
A vaccinator prepares one of New Zealand's first Covid-19 vaccinations on 19 February. Photo: Supplied / Ministry of Health
The DHB is the latest health group to voice its worries about the shortage.
Its director of occupational health and safety, Alistair Forde, detailed his concerns in a paper to the board.
"Shortages of sufficiently qualified staff is emerging as a risk to the overall programme in terms of centres being able to reach vaccination capacity," he said.
That could place stress on those already working and contribute to the potential for errors, he said.
It would be particularly important to monitor the situation as more vaccination centres were added, he said.
Last month, Counties Manukau District Health Board head Margie Apa said at least 1000 more vaccinators were needed for the Auckland and Northland regions.
And a vaccination clinic in Ōtara said it was regularly short-staffed, and might have to cut the number of days it worked to give its vaccinators a break.
The Ministry of Health said training was underway for new vaccinators but most would not be ready until June.
Forde's report to the DHB also said the city's vaccination centres were operating well so far, with all creating a health and safety checklist before they went live.