Super Saturday gives super boost to Taranaki’s vaccination numbers
18 October 2021
A major milestone has been reached with 80% of people living in Taranaki now having received a first dose, rising to 82% with a first dose booked.
More than half of the region are now fully vaccinated (57%), which rises to 75% when booked second doses are taken into consideration.
This compares favourably to the national rate of 85% (first doses) and 65% fully vaccinated.
Taranaki Māori are currently sitting at 62% (first doses) and 38% (second dose).
Bevan Clayton-Smith, Taranaki COVID-19 Vaccination programme senior responsible officer, said: “These numbers are indicative of the hard mahi being done by vaccination teams across the programme, and the response of the Taranaki community to the urgent need to increase vaccination rates with COVID-19 breathing down our necks.
“We now need to maintain the momentum and not lose focus on the goal of exceeding 90% by the end of the year.
“A key element of that focus will be working with our Māori health providers to continue to improve vaccination rates in Māori communities across the district.”
Currently, South Taranaki District is leading the charge when it comes to Māori rates in Taranaki, with 60% of first doses and 39% of second doses administered there. New Plymouth District sits at 59% (first) and 43% (second) and Stratford District 58% (first) and 36% (second).
The response from the entire Taranaki community to Super Saturday was fantastic with 2,894 people from across the rohe getting their jabs, 21% of them Māori. This put Taranaki above the national average of 3.8% (of population) for Māori receiving a vaccination at 3.9%.
And in more good news for Māori rates, Taranaki saw the second largest increase in the country last week, up 7.6% with more than 1200 first doses, breaking the 60% first dose milestone.
Vaccinations were administered at five GP clinics, nine pharmacies, one kindy, one rural clinic, three mobile homes at four locations (Warehouse Bell Block, Warehouse New Plymouth, New World Stratford, Countdown Stratford and Marine Parade, Waitara) two Tui Ora clinics, one Ngati Ruanui clinic and at the two main vaccination centres in New Plymouth and Hāwera.
There were numerous sausage sizzles and a pizza night, countless giveaways, free coffees, Taranaki rugby players, chocolate fish and DJ’s playing the top tunes.
“The entire Taranaki COVID-19 Vaccination programme, which includes all our Taranaki DHB teams, on-boarded GP clinics and pharmacies and Māori partner-providers, pulled out all the stops to get out there and make getting a vaccination easier than ever before,” said Bevan.
“It was wonderful to see Taranaki people stepping up to be vaccinated, coming to have their questions and concerns answered and generally joining in the party atmosphere. Ka pai!”
For more information please call:
Polly Catlin-Maybury | Communications Advisor | 021 178 8469
Last updated: Wednesday, October 20, 2021