27 Nov 2021

Pasifika communities reach 'key vaccination milestones'

2:42 pm on 27 November 2021

Ninety percent of Pacific people in New Zealand have had their first Covid-19 vaccine, while 11 district health boards (DHBs) have reached 80 percent first doses for Māori, Ministry of Health says.

Nurses in the Far North Vaccinating during the lockdown

Nurses in the Far North Vaccinating during the lockdown Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

There were a total of 17,899 doses administered yesterday, including 5679 first doses and 12,222 second doses.

To date, 92 percent of eligible people in New Zealand have had their first dose and 85 percent are fully vaccinated.

The ministry said the country's Pacific communities had reached "some key vaccination milestones", with 90 percent having officially received their first dose, and 80 percent fully vaccinated.

Eleven of the 21 DHBs had reached 80 percent first doses for Māori, it said in a statement.

The ministry also highlighted how Capital & Coast DHB is just 1131 doses shy of reaching the 90 percent fully vaccinated milestone.

More than 2.1 million My Vaccine Passes have been issued.

Events held in Auckland to encourage vaccine uptake

This weekend is the last chance New Zealanders have to be fully vaccinated with both injections in time for Christmas.

More than 20 vaccination events are being held in Tāmaki Makaurau this weekend, ahead of the Auckland border restrictions easing on 15 December.

Tāmaki Makaurau vaccination programme director Matt Hannant said there will be live music, free food and spot prizes on offer at events across the city.

People can also now pre-book to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is available from Monday, he said.

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