The Hawke's Bay District Health Board began its rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme to frontline health workers on Friday. Photo / Warren Buckland
The Hawke's Bay District Health Board began its rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme to frontline health workers on Friday. Photo / Warren Buckland
Marae, memorial halls and even racecourses could serve as "super clinics" for the Covid-19 vaccine programme rollout in Hawke's Bay when it becomes available to the public from July.
Hawke's Bay District Health Board began its vaccine rollout on Friday morning, with 300 high-risk frontline healthcare workers getting their firstshots.
DHB chief executive Keriana Brooking said the milestone marked progress in the fight against Covid-19.
She hoped to see 2000 healthcare workers vaccinated in the coming weeks, including emergency department staff, midwives, St John paramedics and others in "areas where Covid-19 comes into play".
This would be followed by 7000 other frontline workers and their families and those most vulnerable to Covid-19 (people aged over 65 or those with relevant underlying health conditions).
The vaccine would be available to those in the general public from July, she said.
"We'll see the numbers consistently rolling across the weeks."
Hawke's Bay DHB chief executive Keriana Brooking (left) was confident the DHB could keep up with Covid-19 vaccine demand, with plans for the general public to get access from July. Photo / Warren Buckland
Details of exactly where the vaccines will be available are still in the planning stages, but the programme will include "super clinics" in places that are large enough to hold lots of people, such as memorial halls and racecourses.
Marae would also serve an important role in servicing more rural or isolated communities - the likes of Porangahau, Tuai, Mahia and Takapau.
While there needed to be a balance between meeting vaccine demand and preventing waste, Brooking said there was enough of the vaccine to keep up.
The launch of the vaccine rollout also marked the start of the education programme, which would comprise a mix of local and national communication strategies.
This would include social media and face-to-face meetings, with a strong focus on Māori and Pasifika communities.
Brooking said it was their job to help steer people to the right sources and provide the information needed for them to make a choice.
"There's a difference between hesitancy and not wanting it done.
"We respect it's a choice people make."
The waiting room at Hawkes's Bay Hospital where about 300 frontline healthcare workers received their first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. Photo / Warren Buckland
She was optimistic about where the region would be in another year's time, though she would be interested to see what travel looked like and the future science around Covid-19 and its variants.
"Hawke's Bay will be thriving and vibrant," she added.
Other leaders in health were equally excited about the rollout.
Dr Dan Garner, a respiratory physician who managed Hawke's Bay's Covid-19 ward, said it was "quite remarkable" to have reached the vaccine milestone and he attributed this to the amazing effort from all of New Zealand.
Registered nurse and Covid-19 vaccine rollout lead, Ngaira Harker, said she was overwhelmed by the response and the rollout was going "really well".
Clinical resource nurse Mel Bruce appeared relaxed in the lead-up to receiving her vaccination, joking with the reporters and photographers on hand.
Covid-19 hero: Clinical resource nurse Mel Bruce was surprised not to feel anything when getting the Covid-19 vaccine and said she felt good. Photo / Warren Buckland
She confessed to being a "little bit nervous", though, as the prep work was carried out.
Bruce was asked a handful of screening questions to check she was able to have the vaccine, before being asked which arm she wanted it in and told to roll up her sleeve.
She didn't realise she'd had it at first, having looked away and not felt it.
Instead of the customary lollipop, Bruce was sent away for a hot drink and a muffin, and told to come back for her second shot in three weeks' time.
She said it was important to get the vaccine, not only for her job, but also for her friends' and family's sake.
"It's been a really tough year for so many people.
"But at least we are fighting Covid-19 instead of Covid-19 fighting us."
