Taranaki COVID-19 Vaccination Programme visits first aged residential care facility

19 May 2021

The Taranaki COVID-19 vaccination programme has reached another milestone with the first residents of an aged care facility receiving their first immunisation dose this week.

People living in long-term residential care homes, such as the elderly, disabled and mentally ill, fall into the second tier of the group 2 as they are vulnerable to succumbing to covid-19 should there be an outbreak in New Zealand.
Other groups in this tier include older Māori and Pacific people and those who live and care for them at home.

“Our mobile outreach vaccination units will be visiting the 33 residential care homes in the region over the coming weeks, in line with the strategic framework roll-out,” says Steven Parrish, senior responsible officer for the programme. “This is a real sign for the public that the programme is gaining momentum as we deliver on the promise of making the COVID-19 vaccine available to every person 16 years of age or in Taranaki.”

John Hudson, CEO of Tainui Rest Home, said: “Our residents were very responsive to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination as they understand that it protects them, and their friends and family, should the virus enter our community.
“The team of vaccinators were wonderful, and we are looking forward to seeing them again when it is time for the second doses to be administered.”

Last updated: Wednesday, May 19, 2021