About 40 border workers from Christchurch Airport have been vaccinated today as the Covid-19 immunisation programme starts rolling out in the South Island.
Health Protection Officer Debbie Smith was one of the first people in the South Island to receive a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on 24 February, 2021. Photo: Supplied / Ministry of Health
Auckland workers were the first in the country to get the Pfizer-BioNTech injections on Saturday and the programme began in Wellington on Monday.
Yesterday, 35 of the Canterbury-based vaccination team gave and received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to prepare for today's rollout.
About 20 percent of New Zealand's border and MIQ workforce are based in Canterbury, according to the Ministry of Health.
In a statement, Canterbury DHB clinician Alan Pithie said the rollout of the programme in Canterbury was an important milestone.
"This is just the start of the vaccination rollout and we are confident that the system we have created is robust and efficient. We are really proud of our team, this is obviously a new situation for everyone, but it is incredibly important that we complete this first phase as quickly as possible," Dr Pithie said.
The Christchurch Airport workers, who included aviation security workers, cleaners, police, customs workers and health protection officers, took their first dose at a nearby community based testing centre.
Health protection officer Debbie Smith said she was relieved to get vaccinated today.
"It's another level of armour and I feel like a superhero on the inside now. Working on the frontline, you tend to live your life differently. There have been events I've thought twice about going to because of the potential risk I pose and that's where the vaccination is going to let me live my life a little bit more normally, I hope."
Her colleague, Jimmy Wong, said getting vaccinated was a huge relief because it meant greater protection for his family.
"I've got a three-month-old baby at the moment and it's very important to me to do what I can to protect myself and to protect my family."
Health Protection Officer Jimmy Wong is relieved to get some protection against Covid-19 after getting his first dose on 24 February, 2021. Photo: Supplied / Ministry of Health
Both have been working at Christchurch International Airport for a year and one of their roles is health screening people returning on international flights.
Airport cleaner Cherry Alinsob - who works full-time for OCS Ltd - said she was very keen to get vaccinated and pleased to get that opportunity today.
"I'm happy so I can protect myself and my family. I have felt a little nervous working at the airport and this is a real relief."
In a statement, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said about 1000 border workers and vaccinators in total had now received their first dose.
"That's a great start and we appreciate the effort of the vaccinators and border workers," Hipkins said.
He said the number of vaccines being administered would gradually scale up.
Air NZ crew in line to get jab
Nearly 4000 Air New Zealand workers will be among those prioritised to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Some of the airline's frontline workers will be getting their first dose tomorrow.
Air New Zealand says its staff had been among the most impacted by Covid-19 safety requirements (File image). Photo: Supplied/ Air NZ
All of the airline's cabin crew and pilots, as well as airport, cargo and line maintenance employees in Auckland and Christchurch will be in line to get the jab.
Chief Medical Officer Ben Johnston said they were pleased their employees were being prioritised.
"We welcome the government's decision to prioritise border workers for vaccines as a means of protecting the people who are most at risk of contracting Covid-19 in New Zealand. A safe and effective vaccine is a vital step towards the long-term control of Covid-19, and eventually allowing our borders to open to international travel."
Johnston said staff had been among the most impacted by Covid-19 safety requirements, going through isolation protocols, testing requirements, and wearing PPE.
While receiving the vaccine will not be mandatory, Johnston said the airline was "strongly encouraging" its staff to take this opportunity.
"We are working hard with our people to ensure everyone understands how the vaccine works, the benefits of receiving it and key safety information so they can make an informed decision."
Inflight service manager 787 Audrey Poskitt, who will be among the first to be vaccinated, said she hoped getting this vaccine would help change the perception of aircrew who do offshore duties.
"Receiving the vaccine for me is about providing an extra layer of protection for my community, on top of the measures in place already.
"My husband is immune compromised, and when I come home from offshore duties, we often spend time in different parts of the house. By getting vaccinated, I'm helping to keep him and the rest of my whānau and friends safe."
More Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses arrive
A second batch of about 76,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine arrived yesterday at Auckland International Airport. Last week, 60,000 doses of the vaccine arrived in the country.
The first batch of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine arrived in New Zealand last week. Photo: SUPPLIED
Hipkins said further shipments of vaccines could be expected "over the coming weeks".
"By the end of March, we're due to receive a total of about 450,000 doses - enough to vaccinate 225,000 people with a two-dose course.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
"The Ministry of Health is working with Pfizer/BioNTech to develop a delivery schedule for the vaccines that ensures a smooth rollout and scaling up of our immunisation programme as we rollout to the general public in mid-year."
The immunisation programme aims to have all the country's 12,000 border and managed isolation and quarantine staff vaccinated first, followed by their household contacts.
Additionally, 490,000 special-purpose needles also arrived yesterday, which will help maximise safe usage of the vaccine.
"Making the most of every vial of the vaccine and avoiding waste will help to ensure the successful rollout of our immunisation programme," Hipkins said.