Southern COVID-19 vaccinations begin
The first COVID-19 vaccinations in the Southern district were administered today, in preparation for workers at Southern ports receiving their initial dose of the vaccine tomorrow.
Today 30 vaccines were administered as part of the 'wet run' to test systems for the roll-out starting tomorrow.
Up to 370 port workers based at international ports in Southern are scheduled to receive COVID-19 vaccinations this week.
Tomorrow around 225 border facing staff at Port Otago and around 45 workers at the NZAS Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter, which has an international berth, will begin receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Vaccination of the 100 workers at South Port, in Bluff, begins on Wednesday 3 March.
The COVID-19 vaccination requires two doses and Southern workers will receive their second doses in three weeks’ time towards the end of March.
The roll-out at the ports is being conducted by trained vaccinators from General Practices in Dunedin and Invercargill, supported by WellSouth Primary Health Network and the Southern DHB’s Public Health Immunisation Team.
The vaccines have been transported to Dunedin and Invercargill in special containers, directly from the ultra-low temperature storage facility in Auckland.
Dr Susan Jack, Medical Officer of Health, Southern DHB welcomed the roll-out of Southern COVID-19 vaccinations as “a milestone for our district”.
“We are extremely grateful to the ports for all of their assistance in getting this important vaccination work started, and particularly for helping to protect their communities. It sets the scene for the continued roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine across the whole Southern district.
“I want to also thank the two General Practices in Dunedin and Invercargill and all the support workers who are helping with the roll-out. We could not do it without you.
“Southern was particularly hard hit in the first round of COVID-19 infections in early 2020 and our communities united against the serious COVID-19 threat. We ask for their continued support as we undertake the vaccine roll-out.
“In the meantime, please remain vigilant and keep doing the basics to stay safe. Use your COVID-19 tracing app to scan QR codes wherever you go and keep a record of your movements. Maintain regular hand hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette. If you have any symptoms, stay at home and arrange a test immediately. Call 0800VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719) to find the closest/next available slot for testing in Southern. Stay at home until your results come through, Dr Jack said.
MEDIA NOTE: Photographs of a port worker being vaccinated at Port Chalmers and South Port are attached for publication.
CAPTION 1: Port Otago worker Josh Greer receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination in Dunedin.
CAPTION 2: South Port Pilot Robert (Bob) Coote receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination in Bluff.
ENDS.