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With just around 9,431 receiving the first shot of Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine as on Tuesday (2 March), New Zealand is all set to administer the vaccine to the other priority groups.
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Otago University academic and GP Ben Gray has opined to give precedence to the vaccination program in South Auckland soon after the giving the COVID-19 jab to the border workers, because the region is exposed to the perils of pandemic since numerous border and isolation facilities are based there.
The Cabinet is yet to decide upon the complete vaccination schedule though it has received numerous recommendations on the same.
Priority Groups to be Vaccinated First
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Chris Hipkins, Covid-19 Response Minister stated the inoculation of the border workers and their households should be succeeded by the frontline health and emergency staff, but the government is yet to take decision in this regard.
Why to Administer Vaccine to South Auckland & Tāmaki Makaurau
However, Gray opined that South Auckland programme should commence quickly, soon after vaccinating the families of border personnel. This is so because South Auckland has recently detected a couple of new cases of community outbreaks.
Further, the same should be applicable at port areas and its surrounding communities that are at a larger risk of the spread of the deadly virus.
He further expressed with regards to the wide population roll-out programme that indemnity against the virus could only be achieved once the country begins nearing the herd immunity. But, as of now the NZ population has not achieved the level of herd immunity, hence the threat of the virus spread is out there.
Also, for the remaining population like people living in aged care homes in the rest of New Zealand are at a low risk, hence, they can be administered the vaccine when the entire community is getting inoculated.
Peeni Henare, Associate Health Minister stated that the New Zealand government is deliberating on all the aspects and working cautiously on the order of the vaccinations. Due consideration is given to people belonging to Tāmaki Makaurau and South Auckland region during the 1st phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Skepticism on Vaccine
Inspite of their best efforts, the government is facing hesitation and doubtfulness against the COVID-19 vaccine from certain communities and people.
Umpteenth Government Support
Henare expressed that the NZ government is leaving no stone unturned and is working hard towards convincing the people about this life saving jab and spreading positive messages across the nation about the vaccine through proper communication.
