Counties Manukau DHB has hit a 90 percent target for Covid-19 vaccine first doses, bringing all of Tāmaki Makaurau over the line for first doses.
Photo: Supplied / ADHB
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced the milestone tonight.
Auckland will move to the traffic light system once all three DHBs reach 90 percent fully vaccinated.
Auckland DHB is now at 95 percent first doses and 87 percent second doses.
Waitematā DHB is at 92 percent and 83 percent, while Counties Manukau is now at 90 percent first doses and 80 percent second doses.
"Auckland is leading the way with vaccinations, and it is exciting to see Counties Manukau reach that all important 90 percent first dose figure," Hipkins said in a statement.
"Today we are an important step closer to Auckland transitioning to the new traffic light system which means restrictions will ease once each DHB is 90 percent second dose.
"There's been a huge amount of targeted work going on by local health providers to make vaccines easily accessible and to address hesitancy. It's really pleasing to see that work paying off.
"In particular the work of Māori and Pacific providers in Counties Manukau is succeeding. Getting to 90 percent first doses required pulling out all the stops in Auckland. This has included literally going door to door to ensure people are vaccinated.
"Getting every DHB in Auckland up to 90 percent fully vaccinated is within our reach. On current daily rates we could be there within three weeks so long as people return for their second dose."
Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Daniel Newman also thanked residents in a statement tonight.
"This is an extraordinary achievement and it comes as Counties Manukau battles Covid-19 seeding in homes and neighborhoods across South Auckland. But every vaccination means we are stronger in the face of this growing threat."
"When Delta hit in August, we only have 20 percent protection. Now, we have 90 percent first dose coverage and 80 percent of our eligible population is fully vaccinated."
The 'Got Ya Dot' campaign targeted rangatahi and other vaccination efforts this weekend followed up on second doses for those first vaccinated on 'Super Saturday' last month.
Around the country, Tairāwhiti has the lowest number of first doses at 80 percent followed by Northland on 81.
New Zealand as a whole will move on to the so-called traffic light system, once every region reaches 90 percent double vaccination.
The system offers more freedoms than at alert level 3 and eliminates almost all lockdowns.