Drive-through clinic bridges local vax gap
Tui Ora offers wha¯ nau another option
Stratford citizens will be able to protect themselves and their wha¯nau from the comfort of their own vehicle this weekend. Tui Ora is bringing a drive-through vaccination clinic to Stratford’s War Memorial Hall on Sunday.
The clinic is supported by TDHB, Pinnacle Midlands Health Network, local iwi Nga¯ruahine and Nga¯ti Ruanui and Te Aranga – the Nga¯ Iwi o Taranaki collective.
Pinnacle Midlands Health, practice network lead for Taranaki Tama Tamatea says the partnership gives the organisation the chance to give wha¯nau more choices about accessing the health services they require.
The aim is to bridge the vaccination gap, says Tama.
As of Thursday last week, while 70 per cent of Taranaki’s eligible population had received their booster vaccine overall, only 55 per cent of Ma¯ ori had.
Of Taranaki tamariki aged five to 11, 45 per cent overall have received their first dose, but only 31 per cent of Ma¯ori children.
Project lead for Te Aranga Paul Cummings says the pandemic has taught people when they work
together, they can achieve far better results for wha¯nau.
“With so many people currently positive or self-isolating we need to pool our resources and kaimahi so we can continue to support the community with vaccination and testing.”
The first drive-through vaccination took place in Waitara on Saturday with 108 people vaccinated.
Tui Ora, Wha¯nau Ora general manager Tamara Ruakere says the drive-through clinics offer people the option to get vaccinated from their car.
“With case numbers consistently in the tens of thousands each day, a lot of people are feeling nervous about leaving their homes and being out and about. Having your vaccination in your car means your household can stay in your bubble and have minimal interaction with others so we think it’s a good option to offer wha¯nau while Omicron is in the community.”
At the Stratford drive-through clinic on Sunday, there will be in-car kai packs, koha vouchers, and the chance to win spot prizes on offer to all who come along.
People over 12 receiving a jab have the chance to win an iPhone 13.
An onsite DJ, spot prizes and giveaways will help complete the wha¯nau-friendly vibe.
Tui Ora chief executive Hayden Wano says vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness, protect your families and your whakapapa from Covid-19.
“We are extremely grateful to the TDHB, Pinnacle, Te Aranga and our iwi networks for supporting us to make this possible.”