By Maia Hart
A general practice in Blenheim has started its child vaccine roll-out with its own whānau, while the region's walk-in clinic has also seen an influx of children getting their Covid-19 jab.
The Marfell family, from left, Stu, Nina, 9, Guy, 7, and Dr Emily Marfell. Photo: SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF via LDR
Covid-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 opened on Monday, after the gvernment approved the paediatric version of the Pfizer vaccine in December.
In Blenheim, Civic Family Health Care started their roll-out to children with family members who worked at the practice.
Among them was Nina, 9, and Guy Marfell, 7, whose mum Dr Emily Marfell is a general practitioner at the centre.
Civic Family Health Care business manager Andrea Cunniffe said all of their practice nurses were accredited to vaccinate children.
"We were pretty proactive about getting that done so that we were ready for today," Cunniffe said.
"We knew that we had some staff that wanted their children vaccinated, so it was a good start to prepare us."
She said there were eight children that would be vaccinated on Monday, ahead of a roll-out to their enrolled population on Wednesday.
"For our staff it's really important, because they're all vaccinated, and they want kids to be vaccinated, especially if they're vulnerable kids with any underlying conditions, it's extremely important to get them vaccinated.
"Our kids are vulnerable now, especially before school goes back. Covid in the community is coming, I'm surprised we haven't got more in the community now, but I think we'll see more cases after the holiday period.
"It's just a matter of time, so we are prepping for it, and vaccinating our children as part of that."
Civic Family Health Care practice manager Andrea Cunniffe. Photo: SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF via LDR
For under 12 year olds, the vaccine was specially formulated with a lower dose and a smaller volume of the vaccine adults were given.
Two doses would be given to children, with at least an eight-week gap between the first and second dose.
The interval to receive the second dose could be shortened to three weeks (21 days) if needed.
Nina said the vaccine went well, and she was not worried about getting the second one.
"It was scary to think about, but once it's done it was fine," she said.
"It only took about three seconds."
Dr Marfell said they were "right on board" with getting their children vaccinated.
"We're keen to follow the advice we're given, the sooner the better," she said.
She expected and hoped other parents would take up the opportunity and get their children vaccinated.
"We want to make it as easy as possible for people."
A vaccine dose for 5 to 11-year-olds, one third of an adult's dose. Photo: SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF via LDR
Meanwhile, Marlborough's main vaccination centre on Henry St was also busy vaccinating children on Monday morning, said Marlborough Primary Health primary care manager Sue Allen.
"First thing this morning there were families coming in, which is lovely because that's what we want to target," Allen said.
"So if mum and dad need the booster, bring the kids as well."
She said there was a bit of pressure this morning, because children and adults needed different doses, but it was expected, and it went "really well".
"There's always the early adopters, I think we'll have quite a steady period, and then it will drop away and people will consider it, and become more informed and perhaps chat with a health professional before they make that decision [to get children vaccinated]," she said.
She said they assumed a lot of people would go to their general practice to get their children vaccinated, although larger families would probably prefer the availability of walking in to Henry St.
"There's a lot of pharmacies willing to vaccinate children as well, so I think there will be lots of availability, and lots of options for people too," she said.
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