LIVE: Vaccines planned for all over-16s by 2022

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

UPDATE: Associate Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall says the government has a clear plan to ensure that everyone aged 16 and over will be vaccinated by the end of the year.

"We are progressing well against the plan," Dr Verrall says.

DHBs are on track to deliver more than 1 million doses by the end of June, she says.

"By then we'll be well into vaccinating the 1.7 million people we've identified in group 3 ... those over 65, people with underlying medical conditions, prison staff and the prison population."

She says 480,000 people in group 2 - high risk frontline workforce, aged care workers, older Māori and Pacific people, those living with them, their carers and anyone in Counties Manukau aged 65 and over or with underlying health conditions - would start being vaccinated from next week.

Verrall says there will be enough of the vaccine for everyone and asks that some people remain patient.

The ministry recommends a two-week gap between flu vaccination and Covid-19 vaccination, she says.

Community pharmacies will play an important role in vaccination, and the government expected GP and after hours clinics would also be involved.

Dr Bloomfield says that as of 11.59pm last night, 232,588 doses of Pfizer vaccine had been administered in New Zealand.

Some 122,000 people had received afirst dose, up 32,000 on last week, and DHBs overall were tracking to the plan.

Yesterday, the Health Ministry said eight new cases of Covid-19 had been found in managed isolation since the last update on Sunday.

It also said a man had travelled from Perth to Auckland via Sydney on 26 April, during the Perth/Peel lockdown period, then made his way to Northland.

The ministry said the risk the man posed was low and he was self-isolating.

Quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Western Australia resumed from midday today.

EARLIER:

Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will provide an update on the Government's Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

The pair are due to be live from Wellington at 1pm.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health reported there were no new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today.

However, there were eight new cases detected in managed isolation since the Ministry's last update on April 25.

"The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is two," says a spokesperson in a statement released on Tuesday.

"Five previously reported cases have recovered."

The total number of active cases in New Zealand today is 36.

Meanwhile, New Zealand is providing support to India in response to the devastating Covid-19 situation facing the country, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today.

'We stand in solidarity with India at this difficult time, and commend the tireless efforts of India's frontline medics and healthcare workers who are working hard to save lives,” says Mahuta.

'Aotearoa will contribute NZ $1 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross to assist India while they respond to the current surge in Covid-19 cases.”

The International Federation Red Cross is working directly with the local Indian Red Cross Society to provide oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, and other crucial medical supplies.

The IFRC is also looking at scaling up emergency operations across India by providing intensified ambulance and blood service, and distributing personal protective equipment and hygiene kits to communities in need.

'We believe a contribution to an international organisation that has a reputation for delivery is the most practical assistance we can make to India at this time,” says Mahuta.

'This is a distressing and challenging time for the people of India and we will work alongside the international community as we work to combat the debilitating impact of Covid-19 on the health of our people.

'We will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to assist the Indian government."

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6 comments

2023

Posted on 28-04-2021 16:58 | By Local Too

The final results of vaccine are due 2023 so why not hold off until we see if this is safe or not?


Bluffers

Posted on 29-04-2021 07:05 | By Slim Shady

So we need to up it to 90,000 doses a week through to end June - no chance. Then we need to up it to towards 250,000 doses a week to get done by year end - no chance. I know it, they know it. Just more lies.


India is a self-inflicted wound.

Posted on 29-04-2021 15:30 | By morepork

Religion and Politics are the cause of their tidal wave. Explain to Communities about separation, masks and hygiene, then tell them it's OK to attend crowded churches, mosques and temples, or huge political rallies in support of the Government. If people cannot or will not listen to the message, then the result will be what we are seeing. It is tragic and we should help them, but let's not pretend this is anybody's fault except their own. And I would keep our border with them closed until they demonstrate they have the virus under control. Not to pick on India; there are other countries with exactly the same problem. "God will protect us"...see you (shoulder to shoulder) at the community prayer meeting... Why are you coughing?


Vaccine promises

Posted on 05-05-2021 13:07 | By CliftonGuy

CS Jung said: You are what you do. Not what you say. We see full page adverts and TV adverts from the government promoting vaccination. At what cost? Yet, I have not heard of one person who has received vaccination. Excepting overseas relatives, some of whom have already had their second jab. When will our authorities start pulling their finger out? Or are we living in Never-Never land?


@ Clifton Guy...

Posted on 05-05-2021 21:47 | By groutby

...yes, we are living in 'never never' land for the next two years at least, as someone recently said, 'this government coudn't deliver Uber eats let alone anything else!'.........


@Slim Shady, @ CliftonGuy & @groutby

Posted on 10-05-2021 00:38 | By The Caveman

You are all spot on the mark - it will be at least 2023 before this current Gment will provide vaccinations for the whole population - OH that's a election year is it not !!!!


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