South Canterbury behind vaccine target
More than 5200 Covid-19 vaccinations have been administered in South Canterbury, according to latest Ministry of Health figures.
As of May 5, there had been 3792 first doses and 1439 second doses given.
That is 12 per cent below the target but South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB) Covid-19 vaccination programme operational lead Carol Murphy said there was an explanation.
She said it had been initially pro- jected each port worker would have three household contacts to be vaccinated in the group 1 rollout. However, there turned out to be fewer contacts but the SCDHB does not have the actual number.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the ministry worked with all DHBs on their vaccine rollout plans.
‘‘This enabled us to have a delivery plan confirmed which is now tracked weekly via the ministry website,’’ the spokesperson said.
Murphy said the SCDHB had to resubmit its Covid rollout plan to the ministry because of questions over the projected vaccination volumes in the disability sector each week to the end of June.
‘‘The disability sector contracts directly through the Ministry of Health. We are working with them to obtain volumes. We are appointing a disability lead in South Canterbury to oversee this work and partner with local providers to identify clients and make arrangements for vaccine delivery.’’
Murphy said all DHBs had to resubmit their plans.
The second group of high risk frontline workers and people living in high risk places are now being vaccinated. This cohort includes aged care residents, with Radius Care Elloughton Gardens’ residents being the first to receive their shots from April 13. Arowhenua Wha¯ nau Services delivered 121 vaccinations in the first two days of this week to Ma¯ ori and Pasifika people over the age of 65.
Arowhenua Wha¯nau Services kaiwhakahaere (manager) Maria Parish (Nga¯i Tahu) said the next two weeks (four days a week) were fully booked with those in that group getting their first dose.
‘‘We will carry on ringing people [for appointments] or anyone can contact Arowhenua Wha¯nau Services [to book].’’
The first rural community popup clinic for those over 65 or with underlying health conditions will be in Waimate from May 31. Letters would be sent out inviting people who are in that group to have the vaccination, Murphy said.
She was confident there would be enough vaccinators to cover the peak of the vaccination rollout in the second half of the year, when the immunisation of the general population starts.
‘‘At this stage, the DHB is planning for both urban and pop-up rural clinics.
‘‘Each clinic requires four administrators and 10 vaccinators who undertake the roles of vaccinator, drawing up, observations and clinic lead.’’
The clinics would likely be located at 13 sites around the region, she said.
At the SCDHB meeting on April 28, it was reported a small number of general practice based clinicians were being employed on their days off as part of the SCDHB vaccination service.