Mayors pan vax plan

Waikato leaders are frustrated over what they say is a footdragging response from the Waikato District Health Board to boost the region’s vaccination rates.

With a nationwide push to get 90 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated, Waikato’s mayors say they want to play their part in helping the region hit the target.

An alleged lack of information from health bosses about plans to raise the region’s vaccination rates has left the region’s political leaders exasperated.

But the region’s health boss says Waikato’s vaccination programme is tracking well, and the health board is in daily contact with councils.

During last year’s outbreak of Covid-19 in the community, civil defence agencies worked closely with local government to help support the community. An unwillingness by health bosses to work with councils has been a feature of this year’s Delta outbreak, Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest said.

‘‘There’s been a complete vacuum of information from the health board,’’ Mylchreest said. ‘‘We’re open to doing anything we can to promote the vaccination drive, but if we don’t know what the resources are of the district health board, then there’s no point in us promoting vaccination centres.’’

The DHB has also failed to respond to Stuff’s requests for information and interviews during recent outbreaks in Raglan.

Waikato DHB data show that 85 per cent of the region’s eligible population has received a first Covid-19 vaccine dose. Just over 68 per cent of residents have had two doses.

Mylchreest said it was imperative for the health board to share its vaccination plans as residents’ frustration with lockdown restrictions grew.

Waikato District mayor Allan Sanson said councils were

ready to support any community vaccination initiatives but felt stymied by a lack of information coming from the Waikato DHB.

‘‘They seem to hold all their cards close to their chest and don’t tell us anything,’’ Sanson said.

The Government announced that New Zealand as a whole would not transition to a new Covid-19 protection framework – essentially a traffic-light system – until all 20 district health boards reached 90 per cent double-dose coverage.

Sanson said popup vaccination clinics had served their purpose, but a new approach was needed to reach unvaccinated people in remote communities.

‘‘If that means going door to door in particu- lar communities and areas, then that’s what we’ve got to do.’’

Waikato DHB chief executive Kevin Snee said the health board provided daily updates to all mayors and council officials.

To reach Waikato residents in rural areas with lower vaccination levels than the main centres, the DHB has planned up to 20 mobile clinics.

‘‘The planning for these mobile outreaches has been communicated to local government for some time as they are in regular contact with the vaccination programme team,’’ Snee said. ‘‘We will be sharing information on the schedule of events publicly in the coming days.’’

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said her council was ‘‘110 per cent’’ willing to support any vaccination drive in the community.

‘‘I’ve made it clear that I will do whatever is asked of me to lift the community towards high vaccination rates. If I don’t know what’s going on, I can’t get behind it.’’

Hamilton City councillor Dave Macpherson said Waikato should have followed Auckland’s example and used community initiatives during the Labour Day weekend to promote vaccination.

There was strong merit in Waikato holding another Super Saturday-type event to push the region up to the 90 per cent target, Macpherson said.