Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Editorial - Shot Kiwis! Super Saturday vaccination drive a much-needed boost

EDITORIAL:

Whatever happens next in the still-unfolding pandemic, the Super Saturday vaccination drive was a much-needed tonic and triumph for the country.

After weeks of lockdown weariness, and public bickering over the rollout and reopening plans, there was finally a big dose of national unity.

The sun shone on a nationwide event that the Government deserves credit for initiating and all the political parties threw their weight behind.

Health workers, helpers on the ground with food rewards for the newly vaxxed, and those running the television Vaxathon kept it all humming as the 100,000-jab target for the day was smashed.

In all, 130,002 answered the call to take part in this celebratory mass street party with serious intent at its core.

That compares to a previous daily vaccination high of 93,350 in August.

There were 39,025 first doses and 90,977 second ones. Just the day before on Friday, those numbers were 14,037 and 55,626.

Jason Waitoa waits for his vaccination in Rotorua. Photo / AP

Auckland is now up to 89 per cent partial vaccination of its eligible population after at least 40,000 doses were delivered in the three Auckland district health board areas.

None of this progress will deflect questions on other aspects of the Covid-19 response such as how to keep case numbers down in Auckland; ensuring vulnerable groups get access to shots; support for struggling businesses in the city; the extent to which mandates and vaccine certificates are needed; how to improve the MIQ system for returnees as summer looms; and longer-term decisions around pandemic preparedness.

Yet amid the ongoing problems, Saturday was a collective boost involving practical support that people can hang onto. It was as good for morale as it was for increasing our protection against the coronavirus.

On display at numerous Covid-19 vaccination clinics on Saturday was the New Zealand we like to believe and still hope is the real, true one.

Where to get a vaccination in Auckland - without a booking

The one that wants the best for all communities across this diverse country. The one that pitches in to try to achieve a goal that's in all our interests - even the interests of people who still can't see it.

Among those who deserve a thumbs-up are all the people who approached their first jab with feelings of nervousness and uncertainty but went through with it anyway. The hope has to be that they will now be able to convince others to take the plunge.

Somehow, the hesitant and persuadable have to be peeled away as a group from the hardcore anti-vaxxers. Protests against lockdown were held across the country, including one in Auckland Domain attended by 2000 people.

The vaccination drive proved clearly that people will respond to promoted and organised encouragement with offered incentives.

Perhaps there was a sense of safety in numbers, of feeling better about going with the flow when so many others were. Perhaps a repeat dose is needed in three weeks to ensure second jabs are taken up and to draw more first-timers in.

The entire jab fiesta may have the added benefit of helping to swing more public support behind the Government's bid to vaccinate the country away from Delta disaster.

We live in an era where problems often seem discouragingly big. But sometimes we show ourselves that it's a case of "yes we still can".