An Olympian heading to this year's Tokyo Games is grateful New Zealand athletes will be able to apply for access to the Covid-19 vaccine.
Quentin Rew, a two-time Olympian racewalker for New Zealand, says this country's situation in the pandemic and vaccinations is different to the rest of the world. Photo: Photosport
Yesterday, the government announced those who represent New Zealand in an official capacity will be eligible to apply for an early vaccination.
Canadian International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound said athletes should be allowed to cut the queue for a jab.
Some athletes in other countries have rejected the idea when their communities need it more.
Canadian racewalker Evan Dunfee said he would feel uncomfortable getting inoculated before other more vulnerable people.
In a blog post responding to Pound's comments, he wrote: "This would pit us squarely against our communities, and would leave us to reckon with the possibility that our getting vaccinated to galavant off to Tokyo and play games may have prevented someone in greater need of immunisation."
Quentin Rew, a two-time Olympian racewalker for New Zealand, said athletes in New Zealand did not face the same dilemma because Covid-19 is not rife in the community.
"I think the vaccine situation in New Zealand - or where I'm based in Australia - is quite different to the rest of the world," Rew said.
"In New Zealand, an athlete might be prioritised on an economic basis ahead of a vulnerable person who likely in New Zealand isn't going to get Covid anyway, because the government's done such a fantastic job at eradicating it.
"It's not so much skipping the queue in the same sense that I can go and do fun stuff which may or may not cause somebody else to die. That is the case if somebody skips the queue in North America."
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told Checkpoint the criteria would not mean that people jump the queue, or delay vaccinations for others.
"We've set the criteria for early access to vaccines very, very narrowly ... it's about ensuring where there are genuine needs to travel that we can provide access to the vaccines for those people without pushing other people out of the queue.
"So this very narrow criteria we have released won't delay other New Zealanders getting the vaccine."
For other athletes, the news came as a huge relief. New Zealand Olympic Committee boss Kereyn Smith said the government's decision was a good one.
"I do know that a number were hanging on the edge of their seats, thinking can I get offshore to either compete for my final qualification, or even prepare safely for the games.
"So very, very welcome news for them I'm sure."
Olympians aren't the only ones affected by the announcement.
New Zealand Cricket is also expected to submit an early vaccine application for the Black Caps who are heading off to England in May.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed a number of their officials attending the World Expo in Dubai will also ask for early vaccinations.
Applications will begin on 31 March.
People who need to leave to visit a dying family member, access critical care which is not available here, or provide critical care to a dependent, will also be able to apply.