View this email in your browser
Weekly Update Issue 35 - Thursday, 16 December, 2021

87% (up 2.3%) of Taranaki people are fully vaccinated
92% (up 1.1%) of Taranaki people have received their first dose

74% (up 5.7%) of Taranaki Māori are fully vaccinated
85% (up 2.4%) of Taranaki Māori have received their first dose

88% (up 4.8%) of Taranaki Pacific people are fully vaccinated
99% (up 2.1%) of Taranaki Pacific people have received their first dose

182,546
doses have been administered to people living in Taranaki

3,580
doses to go to reach 90% fully vaccinated

(as of Dec 15, 2021. Percentages indicate increase over the last seven days)

Taranaki Programme Weekly Update

The change in Aotearoa from alert levels to the new traffic light system has meant more people having the freedom to travel, visit friends and whānau and get away for a much anticipated break this holiday period.

This freedom brings with it an expectation that we will see case numbers rise, so ensuring that you, and your whānau, are fully vaccinated will be crucial to keeping transmission and infection rates as low as we can.

Maintaining your immunity once you are fully vaccinated is also important, and booster shots are now available for those aged 18 and over who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago.

Booster shots

You can book an appointment to get your booster shot, via BookMyVaccine or by calling 0800 29 28 26 (8am-8pm, 7 days), or just walk in.

The booster is the same as your first and second dose (unless you changed to the AstraZeneca option mid-course), and so any side effects are likely to be similar too - such as a sore arm, muscle aches or headaches.

These mild effects are a sign your body's immune system is learning to fight the virus. There are more serious side effects like a severe allergic reaction of an inflammation of the heart (myocarditis). If you develop difficulty breathing, a racing heart, chest pain or feel faint within a few days after receiving your vaccine, please seek medical attention.

If you need advice or have any concerns at any time, you can ring Healthline on 0800 3585453.

You do not need to have a booster shot to get a My Vaccine Pass, and are currently not mandatory for workers who need to be vaccinated.

For more information about boosters visit Get your booster dose | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz) or pick up an information booklet at your local vaccination clinic.

Vaccination for 5-11 year olds

Medsafe has granted provisional approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old today, which is the first step in the process of rolling out the vaccine for this age group.

The Cabinet will now decide if the the rollout will go ahead, with advice from the Ministry of Health and guidance from the COVID-19 Vaccine Science and Technical Advisory Group (CV-TAG).

If Cabinet approves a decision to use, the roll out is expected to start in New Zealand at the end of January. The green light was given to the roll-out for adults and 12 - 15 year-old under the same provisional approval rating.

Pfizer’s trial results show that the vaccine produces an immune response in 5 to 11 year olds similar to that seen in other age groups. Side effects are also reported to be similar to those experienced by older age groups. This includes common side effects such as headache, a sore arm and fatigue following vaccination. The paediatric version of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds requires two doses, at least 21 days apart

More information will be available in the coming weeks about how to access a vaccination for your child, about the risks and benefits for children who receive the vaccine and advice for those caring for disabled or high-risk youngsters.

In the meantime, here are a couple of links to reliable, scientifically based data and insights to help parents and caregivers become more informed.

Vaccination of 5-11 year old's | The Immunisation Advisory Centre (immune.org.nz)

Younger children and COVID vaccines: 5-11 year olds | The Immunisation Advisory Centre (immune.org.nz)

COVID-19 vaccine and children: Information for parents and caregivers | Ministry of Health NZ

Please note: The roll-out of the adult Pfizer vaccine has been under provisional approval from Medsafe

Disability information session

The Ministry of Health hosted a Facebook Live session to help people with disabilities find out more about the vaccine.

Facilitated by Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoreiro, panellists Drs Anthony Jordan and Hina Lutui responded to a range of clinical questions, while disability advocate Dr Huhana Hickey and Whakarongorau Vaccination Director Jackey Marriott provided practical support and advice about how and where to get vaccinated.

You can see a recording of the session here

Rapid Antigen Testing now available at pharmacies

If you are unvaccinated and need to take a Rapid Antigen Test so as to provide evidence of a negative test result in order to travel, you can visit one of 11 Taranaki pharmacies who are now offering the service.

Check out COVID-19 Testing • Taranaki • Healthpoint

If the test shows a positive result, you must then go to a COVID-19 testing centre to undergo a swab test to confirm.

Talking to friends and family

Having vaccination conversations can be difficult when different perspectives and opinions are part of the kōrero.

This helpful guide provides tips and advice about how to have a productive conversation, without accusation or upset, to build trust and provide support for those who may still be deciding whether to get vaccinated.

Read online or download the guide here: Conversations with friends & whānau about COVID-19 vaccination: Connecting, not correcting (squarespace.com)

Don't Wait, Vaccinate - you only have three days to go!

The Don't Wait, Vaccinate campaign being run by Te Aranga on behalf of Ngā Iwi o Taranaki still has a few days to run, with the chance to win a grand prize of $3,500 still up for grabs!

The campaign offers daily, weekly and major prizes that total $15,000 to anyone getting vaccinated at any Māori Health Provider clinic – just take a selfie with your vaccination card at a participating clinic and you are in the draw to win!

You have until Sunday - check out the participating clinics at www.dontwait.co.nz.

To be in the draw to win vouchers worth up to $3,500 and festival tickets to LAB, just fill in the entry form and upload your photo here.

AstraZeneca available at a clinic near you

While the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine continues to be New Zealand’s primary vaccine, AstraZeneca is now available as an alternative.

It is for those who cannot have the Pfizer for genuine medical reasons and those who need immunisation due to the nature of their work (like healthcare workers), but have other reasons not to have the Pfizer vaccine.

AstraZeneca clinics are being held on Wednesday evenings from 5pm to 8pm at the New Plymouth Vaccination Centre (109 Powderham Street) and Hāwera Vaccination Centre (TSB Hub, Camberwell Road).

You’ll need to book your vaccine and if you’ve already had a Pfizer dose you’ll need to speak with your health provider and get a prescription.

If you are hāpu and have concerns about getting vaccinated, check out this ‘vaccine and pregnancy’ Facebook Live discussion. Lots of questions addressed and valuable kōrero shared.

There is also loads of information here COVID-19 vaccine: Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Ministry of Health NZ

RESOURCES

The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) has a new website dedicated to COVID-19.

The app Āwhina lets you access information from the Ministry of Health and other trusted sources on your mobile device and sends out notifications on key COVID-19 vaccine announcements. You can download Āwhina here

The MoH COVID-19 Vaccine Resources page is full of useful information, frequently asked questions and also fact sheets in multiple languages

Data and statistics about the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in New Zealand can be found here.

HealthPathways platforms nationwide have published (or will soon publish) COVID-19 Vaccination Information pages. General practices can log into their local HealthPathways site to access this useful information.

Government cyber security agency CERT NZ has published guidance on how to protect your organisation when communicating about the vaccine on CERT NZ’s website.

Unite Against COVID-19 contains a multitude of resources on the COVID-19 vaccine, including the latest government announcements.

Medsafe’s website has COVID-19 vaccine approval information and vaccine reports.

Medsafe also publishes data sheets and consumer medicine information for approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Contact us at communications@tdhb.org.nz

This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
TDHB · David Street · New Plymouth, Taranaki 4310 · New Zealand