Image by LuAnn Hunt from Pixabay
The city of Auckland and New Zealanders in general enjoyed a ‘Super Saturday’ yesterday (16 October) as the country smashed vaccination records with close to 130,000 people rolling up their sleeves for Covid vaccinations.
According to Department of Health figures as at 10pm last night, there were 39,024 first doses and 90,971 second doses. Auckland now has 89% of its eligible people vaccinated with at least one dose.
“I want to give a huge thanks to every eligible New Zealander who stepped up today and over the past few days to get their shot, as well as to the hundreds of health providers, businesses, workplaces and community organisations who’ve pulled out all the stops as part of the nationwide push for vaccination,” said Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
“It’s fantastic that Auckland has enjoyed its biggest ever vaccination day with 8,957 people getting their first doses and 31,686 people receiving their second doses.”
“It’s also the biggest ever day for Māori vaccinations, with 10,941 first doses and 10,874 second doses. I want to thank Māori providers for the enormous amount of mahi (work) that has gone into making today such a success.
“It was also a great day for the Pacific community with 4,223 first doses and 8,093 second doses.”
Broomfield extended thanks to all those involved with New Zealand’s first ‘Vaxathon’ event on Saturday.
“Both those behind the scenes and those in front of the cameras who united to energise and celebrate this historic vaccination day, encourages New Zealanders – particularly young Māori, Pacific and tāngata whaikaha (those living with a disability) – to get vaccinated,” he stated.
“We take our hats off to the thousands of vaccinators, volunteers, DHB and healthcare staff, community helpers, logistics teams, delivery people, Healthline call centre takers and everyone else who played their part, without whom this result would not have been possible.”
The Department of Health says yesterday’s vaccination numbers mean that 85% of New Zealand’s eligible population have had at least one vaccination, and 65% are now fully vaccinated.
“Super Saturday has been a shot in the arm for the final stage of our Covid-19 vaccination programme and we now need to finish the job to protect all New Zealanders from the virus,” Broomfield noted.