Te Puna Ora o Mataatua is scaling up its Covid-19 vaccination operations with an aim to vaccinate 120 people every day by the end of May.
Te Puna Ora o Mataatua contracts manager Arapeta Taitoko is all smiles as he receives his vaccine from Kelly Gavin. Photo: Supplied
The charitable healthcare provider may also go mobile to ensure those in isolated rural communities have access to the vaccine.
Chief executive Chris Tooley said getting the vaccine was about protecting your whanau, friends and yourself.
"We know that Maori whanau are more at risk, especially kaumatua, so making sure that this vaccine is accessible, that there's lots of information out there, and that people feel safe and informed about the vaccine is important to us," he said.
"We're working really hard to make sure that access is not a barrier for people who choose to get the vaccine."
To ensure there are no barriers to getting the vaccine, the charitable trust is planning to expand its operations from its base in King Street, Whakatane, to marae and other rural areas.
It also provides transport for those who may be unable to travel into town by themselves and is interested in hearing from groups, like marae and community groups, who may like mobile vaccination services.
Te Puna Ora staff have also been vaccinated, including its home base and ACC manager Maria Clarke who had not had any type of injection for 40 years before getting the vaccine.
"For me, getting the vaccine is the true end of lockdown," she said.
"It means our clients are safe, our whanau are safe, our kaumatua are protected. I'm interested in the positives and the safety and freedom that the vaccine gives us."
Te Puna Ora medical director Dr Jethro LeRoy is certain the vaccine is safe and is encouraging everyone who can, to get their vaccination.
"As 2020 was the year of Covid and lockdowns, 2021 is the year of vaccinations," he said.
"We are very fortunate on a number of levels living in Aotearoa. As team New Zealand, we have mostly kept the virus at bay and been free to enjoy an activity level most other countries are very envious of.
"This meant we could watch other countries roll out their vaccination programme before we needed to. Through this opportunity I have studied the safety and side effect profile of the Pfizer vaccine.
"I am completely happy that the vaccination profile is safe and only a very minimal risk of side effects," Dr LeRoy said.
"I would encourage you to get your Covid vaccination. This will ensure the best outcomes for the health and safety of our whanau, hapu, iwi and everyone in the rohe."
Te Puna Ora started vaccinating support workers and their clients last week and is planning its outreach programme for people in the wider community for July and August.
Before this starts, it would like to hear from community groups and marae who would want mobile vaccination services so it can plan the roll-out programme.
Those interested can [mobile.health@tpoom.co.nz email its mobile service].
Healthcare workers, kaumatua receiving homebased care and those living in residential care can book their vaccination by calling 0800 628 228, texting 021 0276 6126 or [mobile.health@tpoom.co.nz by emailing].
Local Democracy Reporting is a public interest news service supported by RNZ, the News Publishers' Association and NZ On Air.
