Jab rate rises, no new cases

Marlborough’s teenagers are among those pushing the region over 80 per cent fully vaccinated, in the wake of the region’s Covid19 case.

The region reached 80 per cent fully vaccinated on Monday, at the end of a long Labour Weekend during which 303 first doses and 296 second doses were administered. That equated a 2 per cent jump in first doses since Friday, to 92 per cent.

Marlborough Boys’ College student Chris Hebberd, 15, said he was glad to be getting his second jab during morning tea yesterday, after hearing about Blenheim’s Covid-19 case at the weekend. No new cases had been reported since.

He was one of several students getting vaccinated at a pop-up clinic in the college sports pavilion, having called a parent to get permission first.

“It was not too bad. Last time I had a sore arm the next day, but it didn’t worry me too much,” Chris said.

The pop-up clinic was very convenient for students approaching exams at the end of a challenging year with the interruption of the last lockdown, he said.

Both colleges were providing venues for the Marlborough Primary Health team, with another pop-up clinic scheduled for tomorrow at the Girls’ College.

The vaccination nurses said their previous pop-up clinics at schools around Blenheim had not been particularly busy, but with several extended families turning up for first vaccinations last week at Bohally Intermediate, it seemed convenience was a factor that had delayed some families.

Year 11 student Byron Davies, 16, said he was a bit unsure about getting his first jab.

“I’m terrified of needles,” he said.

Byron had discussed it with a friend who was already vaccinated, who told him there was nothing to worry about. The decision was still not an easy one to make, Byron said.

“But it was actually quite quick ... I’m glad it’s done now. And it was not too painful.”

Principal John Kendal said hosting the pop-up clinics was a convenient way for the college to contribute to the region’s work towards the 90 per cent vaccination target.

“And if this contributes to some people getting their first jab, then that’s great.”

A small group of people had visited the college gates on Friday passing out anti-vaccination pamphlets to students, which had been a lesson in respecting viewpoints including those that differ from your own, Kendal said.

“We’ve said to the students if you want to take one that’s fine, or if not, just be respectful. We just asked that those people don’t come on the school grounds, and they’ve respected that,’’ Kendal said.

‘‘It might be a different viewpoint from the majority of New