In New Zealand community driven initiatives encouraging strong vaccination rates
Pacific health experts are rejoicing over strong Pasifika vaccination rates - all thanks to community driven initiatives.
More than 62 percent of eligible Pasifika have received their first dose of the vaccine with at least 32 percent of eligible Pasifika now fully vaccinated.
South Auckland GP Dr Api Talemaitoga said these numbers will only increase, and these vaccination rates are worth celebrating.
He said vaccination rates are increasing because the community has a say in the delivery of healthcare.
He is pleased vaccination buses are finally rolling ahead, but wishes it had happened sooner.
A fleet of six buses are operating in Auckland suburbs where vaccination numbers are low and where communities have difficulty accessing services.
Dr Api Talemaitoga said the buses will further boost Pacific vaccination rates and this is what the community has been wanting for some time.
Immunologist Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu said the vaccination rate trajectory for Pacific people is heading in the right direction as barriers around accessibility are addressed.
Dr Paotonu said the focus should turn to getting young people vaccinated.
Source. Radio New Zealand.
Comment
Would the “shot buses” initiative successful in New Zealand be replicated in the Solomon Islands?
The Prime Minister has said the SI cannot be closed for ever, a situation grasped in Australia and Fiji and in both such countries mass vaccinations of up to 80 percent of the population are needed to allow for so-called herd immunity and a cautious re-opening of borders. Australia and Fiji are reportedly well on the way to achieving the needed 80 percent vaccination rate.
It is not yet the case in the Solomon Islands still Covid free but where complacency over this situation must not set in and all those eligible to receive a vaccination must get one.
Complacency can lead to think Covid cannot sneak into the country, but it did in Fiji, Australia and New Zealand and the Delta variant of the virus is deadly and easily transferable.
Please Solomon islanders heed the MHMS and SIG advice and get yourself double vaccination and the sooner it might be for the government feel confident to relax border closure measures.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
