For those who fall into the camp where Covid + vaccine = confusion, as was witnessed in Auckland, here is the good news, some clarity is on its way (we hope) for our region.
The news is largely dominated by on and off ‘travel bubbles’ and ‘alert levels’ and the information tsunami overload is washing over most people’s heads.
While the release of need to know facts from the Health Department has not been great, the media has been poor with its coverage largely based on sensationalism, and effectively drowning out the stuff most of us want to know.
The result… many have turned off the Covid threat and the numbers using ‘Tracker App’ for instance, continues to fall away.
The New Brighton Residents Association has been on the case (so to speak) and our view is, the vaccine roll-out is important to know about.
While not wanting to get into an argument with anti-vaxxers, as a kid remember the impact of just one of the potentially threatening diseases around at the time like measles, an easily spread virus with devastating complications in cases.
Measles was declared eliminated around 2000 because of the two step vaccine programme, yet due to those not getting the jab, is making a come-back.
Anyway if you are not interested in the science, skip down to GROUPS below….
The COVID-19 vaccine programme is the largest vaccine programme New Zealand’s ever managed, and is only mandatory for those working in a role deemed where the risk of exposure is high, like MIQ facilities.
For those with microbiology and immunology degrees and are curious, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is our current jab of Government choice. The vaccine is produced by the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and BioNTech, (a smaller German biotech firm) and it seems one of the more effective of the many on the market.
This vaccine is made using the messenger RNA (Ribonucleic acid is present in all biological cells carrying instructions from DNA, which itself contains the genetic instructions required for the development and maintenance of life).
The vaccine a technology delivering a bit of genetic code to cells — in effect the proteins made with the RNA instructions activate the immune system, teaching it to see the virus spike protein as foreign, and develop antibodies and other immunity weapons with which to fight it.
Therefore arming the body to deal to the nasty Covid-19 and hopefully give it a good if not a fatal thrashing.
As for the GROUPS…
It’s important to remember:
– We are in an enviable position. There is no COVID-19 in our communities. The Government has secured enough vaccine everyone aged 16 and over can be vaccinated.
– Most at risk and vulnerable people first.
– The message is:
Please be patient; everyone will have an opportunity to be vaccinated by the end of 2021.
In Canterbury, Group 1 and Group 2 are currently being vaccinated. These Groups include MIQ, border and frontline health workers, and people living and working in long-term residential care settings.
Vaccinations for Group 3 will start in June at the earliest. Group 3 includes people 65 and over and those others with underlying health conditions and disabled aged between 16 and 65.
Current plans include a national booking system, with a call centre and online option. The plan is that people will be able to go online and book appointments at a location that suits. People with no internet access will be able to call a number to and book into the system.
As for Group 4 and effectively the majority of Kiwis not fitting the above categories, their turn will come from late July onwards.
Walk-in options, or mass vaccination events, will also be available once vaccinations start for Group 4. These are likely to be available at doctors surgeries, approved pharmacies etc to cope with the numbers.
You can keep up to date proactively with progress by keeping an eye on this website:
www.vaccinatecanterburywestcoast.nz
And a piece of trivia:
COVID-19 got its name thus…Co and Vi come from coronavirus, D meaning disease and 19 standing for 2019, the year the first cases were seen.