The Bay of Plenty is pulling out all the stops during The Big Boost to increase booster Covid-19 vaccination rates in the district, says Bay of Plenty DHB senior responsible officer for the Covid-19 Programme, Brent Gilbert-De Rios.

The Ministry of Health's Big Boost is a national week of action with vaccination services throughout the country making it easy for eligible people to get their booster dose through pop-up vaccination centres and extended opening hours.

'This weekend everyone eligible can get boosted at pop-ups, drive-throughs, hauora providers, pharmacies and extended vaccination clinic hours throughout the district,” says Brent.

People aged 18 or older who had their second Covid-19 vaccination at least three months ago should get their booster Covid-19 vaccination as soon as possible, according to the Ministry of Health.

'Many of the vaccination services will also offer the paediatric Covid-19 vaccine for tamariki aged five and up, so bring the whole whānau along to get the best protection against Omicron,” says Brent.

Fifty-eight percent of the Bay of Plenty's eligible population has had their booster dose to 11 February 2022, according to the Bay of Plenty DHB.

More than 87,000 booster doses have been administered throughout the district, with a further 61,869 people eligible.

'Keep an ear out for other Big Boost opportunities to get your booster throughout the month. It's critical that all of us who can, get boosted in February,” says Brent.

A booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine provides a higher level of protection against severe disease or hospitalisation from the Omicron variant than the two-dose course, according to the Ministry of Health.

Being fully vaccinated with two shots provides great protection against Delta, but boosters are the best way to fight Omicron.

The Big Boost in the Bay this weekend, 12 & 13 February:

Drive-throughs:

Katikati, RSA, corner of Henry & Main Roads

Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm

Kawerau, Ron Hardie Rec Centre, 111 Onslow Street

Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm

Hauora provider (Te Manu Toroa):

Te Puke Sikh Temple, No. 3 Road

Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm

Waihī Beach community centre, 106 Beach Road

Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm

COVID-19 community vaccination centres:

Tauranga central, 87 First Avenue

Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 3.30 pm

Whakatāne, 11 Quay Street

Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 3.30 pm

Pharmacies:

Tauranga Crossing

Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm

Life Pharmacy Tauranga, 53 Devonport Road

Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm

Unichem Cherrywood Pharmacy, 52-54 Cherrywood Drive

Saturday from 9 am to 2.30 pm

Bethlehem Pharmacy, State Highway 2

Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm

Unichem Metro Pharmacy Bethlehem, Bethlehem Town Centre

Saturday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm,

Unichem Greerton Pharmacy, 221 Chadwick Road

Saturday from 9 am to 12.30 pm

Welcome Bay Pharmacy, 252 Welcome Bay Road

Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm

Bayfair Shopping Centre

Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm

My Pharmacy Papamoa Plaza, 7 Gravatt Road

Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm

Life Pharmacy Te Puke, 61 Jellicoe Street

Saturday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm

My Pharmacy Te Puke, 96 Jellicoe Street

Saturday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm

Unichem Total Health Pharmacy, 252 The Strand, Whakatāne

Saturday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm

Church Street Dispensary, 116 Church Street, Ōpotiki

Saturday from 9.30 am to 3 pm and Sunday from 10 to 2 pm

People can check the Healthpoint website for information on COVID-19 vaccination clinics, pop-ups and drive-throughs throughout the district: www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-vaccination/bay-of-plenty.