Region hits 10k vaccines mark — so are you eligible for a dose now?
More than 10,000 people in the Lakes District Health Board area have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
As of 1pm on Friday, 10,011 vaccinations had been administered by Lakes DHB staff. Just over twothirds were first doses, with the rest second doses.
The Rotorua Covid-19 immunisation hub opened in Rotorua in March in the Central Mall, and the Taupo¯ hub is set to open in Totara St at the end of this month.
Lakes DHB began vaccinating border workers and managed isolation staff in February.
The Rotorua hub opened with three nurses, and dozens of nurses at the DHB were trained vaccinators.
The vaccination programme also included some outreach sites, with more planned as the DHB works towards the rollout for the general population, or group 4.
On top of these static sites, nurses started outreach on May 7 with 42 patients at two sites. This was a test run to see how the process would work.
Lakes DHB is now taking bookings from people in group 3, which is people living in New Zealand who were considered to be at higher risk. This group is:
● People who are over 65
● People who are 16 and over and who have a relevant underlying health condition (serious and chronic respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; chronic kidney/renal disease; diabetes; coronary heart conditions; stroke; hypertension (high blood pressure); cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive).
● Disabled people
● Pregnant women (any trimester)
● People living in custodial settings
Anyone who falls under this category can make an appointment by calling 0800 115 117 or email covid. imms@lakesdhb.govt.nz. Phone lines are staffed Monday to Saturday from 7.30am to 5pm.
While the Taupo¯ centre opens on May 28, bookings would now be for June. There is enough vaccine for everyone so no one will miss out.
Lakes DHB chief operating officer Alan Wilson said it was heartening to see such a strong take-up of the vaccine and to hear feedback from patients about their experience.