DHB pushes booster message
The Waikato DHB is urging people not to see booster shots as a ‘nice to have’ but as a key protector against Covid-19, as 90,641 eligible people in the region have not yet received their booster.
In Waikato, 69 per cent of eligible people have had their booster, with 202,913 shots given. The booster rate is lower across Māori and Pacific residents with 53.7 per cent and 60.7 per cent respectively.
Waikato DHB medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble said the current rate for third vaccinations were behind where she would like them to be, particularly with the current Omicron outbreak and the traditional cold and flu season coming up.
“Booster doses . . . should not be seen as a ‘nice to have’ extra, but a key part of building your protection from Covid-19.
“While two doses used to be the goal to make you be fully protected, due to Omicron you now need to have had three doses.”
Dumble said now is the best time to get a booster and it was important to do so before contracting Covid-19.
“Evidence here and overseas shows that you are likely to experience reduced symptoms and be less likely to transmit the virus further if you have had additional protection prior to becoming ill.”
Regarding the flu vaccine, Dumble said it was important to know the booster would not interfere with the flu vaccine.
“This means if you are planning to have a flu jab and have not had a Covid-19 booster, you can go out and get your booster as soon as possible, there is no need to delay.”
For people testing positive for Covid-19 before having their booster, it was still important to get it, but they need to wait 12 weeks after recovering before they can have the Covid vaccine. You can have your flu jab as soon as you have recovered, she said.