Pasifika community appeals to corporates

Auckland celebrated a milestone yesterday, with the Ministry of Health confirming that 90 per cent of the region’s eligible population has now had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The ministry said in its daily update that 3975 first doses were administered in Auckland over the previous 24 hours, tipping the city over the threshold.

Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) director Professor Nikki Turner said reaching 90 per cent first doses showed handing the vaccine rollout to communities was working.

‘‘Every extra bit helps at this point. The more vaccination we have, the less the virus will spread, so congratulations.’’

While it’s a promising development, it will still be at least five weeks before all those who have received a first dose are fully immunised – and that’s assuming they all go on to get a second jab.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has set a 90 per cent vaccination target for each DHB to reach before moving into the Covid-19 Protection Framework, which will see the current alert-level system scrapped in favour of a new traffic light system.

Currently, 75 per cent of Auckland’s population is fully vaccinated. That compares with 70 per cent nationwide. The city will move to the new ‘‘red level’’ once each of its three DHBs has reached the target of 90 per cent.

That won’t be an issue for Auckland

DHB, which, as at 11.59pm on Thursday was sitting at 93 per cent for first doses. Waitemata¯ DHB was at 90 per cent for first doses, but Counties Manukau was at just 87 per cent.

Based on those figures, an extra 11,000 people in South Auckland will need to be vaccinated before the city can move out of alert level 3.

Turner suggested pointed community events could help boost vaccine rates where they are lagging.