Concern over rollout

The target figures for Covid-19 vaccinations by the end of June, released by the Ministry of Health, are cause for concern for those residing in the Taranaki DHB area.

The target figure stated for vaccinations to have been completed in the Taranaki DHB area is 8829 people, representing 7 per cent of the population.

Reference to the DHB’s website indicates a total population of 124,380 in the DHB administered area, of which 12.8 percent are 70 years of age or older. The figure for those greater than 65 years of age is not available, but a further 12.1 percent of the total population are between 60 and 69 years old, so it is reasonable to assume that around 40 per cent of these people would fall in the 65-plus age group.

Adding these age groups together gives a total number of 21939 (17.6 per cent of the population) of people meeting the Government’s stated criteria for vaccination by the end of June. It is interesting to note that the projected vaccination figure, as a percentage of the population, for Taranaki DHB is only half that of the next lowest DHB, and only onefifth of that for the highest DHB in the country. Why? Is it because our DHB is aware of a huge number of anti-vaxxers amongst the target population? Or that hardy Taranakians do not require the same rate of protection as our lessresilient countrymen? Or is it perhaps because the Taranaki DHB, paying attention to the difficulties associated with the vaccine rollout to date, coupled with knowledge gained from previous years’ flu and measles vaccination programmes, is the most realistic DHB in New Zealand on what may be achieved? Whatever the reason, I am sure an explanation from our DHB would be appreciated by many.