Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Port workers ‘take one for the team’
Many breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday as the first of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccines began to roll out to port workers and their families at Port Marlborough.
Some 35 frontline port workers at Port Marlborough were under the needle on Wednesday, and the DHB expects to vaccinate approximately 70 more, plus around 300 household contacts in this first round.
Among the first to receive their jabs were marine operations manager and Pilot for Port Marlborough Matt Conyers and Port Marlborough tug master Mike Beech.
Seasoned in the process of being vaccinated, and also having received a flu vaccine almost every year for the last 10 years, Conyers was very relaxed about the process.
‘‘Coming from a seafaring background, we’re often vaccinated for yellow fever and other tropical diseases on our travels, so I’m quite used to it,’’ he said, adding ‘‘vaccines are something you just do if you can’’.
Conyers has also been subjected to a rigorous testing schedule requiring him to be swabbed every seven days. ‘‘I even had to have one last week when I was on holiday,’’ he said.
He added that his main concern was for his family and the people he comes into contact with ashore.
‘‘It’s a very low risk, but there is a small risk nonetheless,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s really about getting past me and getting to the next person, so we can get everybody done. I’m very pleased it’s started.’’
Beech said he was ‘‘completely happy to get it,’’ and had not been nervous or anxious at all. He has also been subjected to a rigorous testing schedule requiring him to be swabbed every fortnight.
‘‘The DHB and nurses that have been carrying out the tests have been good – as gentle as they could be,’’ he said.
Both men will have to continue with regular swabs, and will have to have a booster shot of the vaccine in 3 weeks’ time.
‘‘The hauora (well-being) of our people are our top priority here at Port Marlborough,’’ chief executive office Rhys Welbourn said.
‘‘The vaccine is an additional level of protection for our people who are working hard to keep the Marlborough economy moving and our border secure.’’
Marlborough Primary Health Organisation programme manager Glenis McAlpine described the response by port workers to the vaccine roll-out as positive.
‘‘They’re grateful to have it, pleased that it’s here, and very happy to do their bit,’’ she said.
McAlpine, who is also a registered nurse and trained Covid vaccinator, was one of two nurses conducting Wednesday’s vaccinations.
She and the vaccination team had all received their jabs of the vaccine on Monday.
The next group in Marlborough will be essential workers, primarily those in the health industry, such as those in general practice, labs, doctors and nurses, said McAlpine.
Information sessions are held prior to vaccinations, to ensure that those receiving the vaccine were making an informed consent.
All patients are observed by a registered nurse for 20-30 minutes after receiving the vaccine, to ensure they suffer no negative side effects.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was approved by Medsafe in early February.
With double doses required for all parties and a three-week lapse required between doses, the complete programme is expected to take several weeks.