Robbie McKee, of Otane, was among 117 Central Hawke's Bay residents told to rebook their Covid-19 vaccine appointments at the last minute due to social distancing requirements. Photo / NZME
Robbie McKee, of Otane, was among 117 Central Hawke's Bay residents told to rebook their Covid-19 vaccine appointments at the last minute due to social distancing requirements. Photo / NZME
One of 117 people in Central Hawke's Bay who had their Covid-19 vaccine appointments postponed at the last minute because of social distancing concerns says he feel like a "second-class citizen".
Robbie McKee, of Otane, was booked in to have his second Covid-19 vaccine at the Waipawa Rugby Rooms onTuesday morning when he received a text from Healthline asking him to get in touch on Monday.
"My appointmentwas to be cancelled," he said, adding there was no clear explanation as to why.
As someone who is in the 65+ category, "pulmonary comprised" and in a wheelchair, having been in a head-on vehicle crash six months ago, McKee was especially keen to get vaccinated.
A spokeswoman for Hawke's Bay District Health Board said the appointment changes related to social distancing requirements as opposed to vaccine supply issues.
She said there were no vaccine supply concerns in Hawke's Bay as at Tuesday.
"[On Monday] a total of 117 people were requested to rebook their vaccine in Central Hawke's Bay.
"These cancellations/rebookings were unique to Central Hawke's Bay only and due to larger numbers than could be accommodated due to social distancing safely requirements under alert level 4."
She those with a booking who were affected had been prioritised for the next spaces with more clinic spaces opening in the area this week.
Anyone who has a booking should attend as normal, unless they have heard directly from the clinic about needing to rebook, she said.
Robbie McKee has managed to rebook his second Covid-19 vaccine appointment to early September, after the first was postponed due to social distancing requirements. Photo / NZME
McKee has managed to rebook his vaccine for early next month, but he said it caused him "angst, confusion and anger".
"I feel like a lower-class citizen."
McKee felt he was trying to do as the Government had asked him and get vaccinated, but was frustrated by what he saw as mixed messaging.
"I come from a strict military background where we always follow the commander in chief."
The DHB spokeswoman said the health and safety of its staff and the public is a priority.
"There may be other situations where would have to adapt and reschedule appointments to make sure people attending and our staff are kept safe."
She pointed to recent Hawke's Bay vaccine statistics, noting that the percentage of eligible people who have had at least one dose in Central Hawke's Bay was 53 per cent, compared to 55 per cent in Hastings and Napier, and 56 per cent in Wairoa.
