24 Sep 2021

Covid-19: Scaring people into getting vaccinated won't work - Jones

From Morning Report, 7:09 am on 24 September 2021

A claim yesterday that there could be 7000 deaths if only 80 percent of those over age five are vaccinated for Covid-19 is proving controversial.

Health authorities in Auckland are working overtime to boost vaccination rates quickly, amid an ongoing outbreak in the region.

Modeller Shaun Hendy told journalists yesterday that even if 80 percent of those over five get the jab, it may still not be enough to prevent the health system from being overwhelmed.

He added even at 80 percent vaccinated, New Zealanders would be vulnerable.

Those comments, at a briefing hosted by the Prime Minister, have upset Covid-19 analyst, Rodney Jones, who says the data and suggestions are unhelpful.

He told Morning Report scaring people into getting vaccinated won't work.

"We don't need to put out these big numbers, and try and scare people through big numbers, we know if we get vaccinated we have a much better path."