Hawke's Bay DHB hopes to vaccinate "as many people as possible" this Super Saturday

by Hawke's Bay App
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2021 9:30 AM

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board along with regional leaders is calling on the community to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as part of Super Saturday on October 16.

Super Saturday is a nationwide day of action for Covid-19 vaccination to encourage everyone eligible and not yet vaccinated to join the millions of people in New Zealand already vaccinated.

Chief executive Keriana Brooking said Hawke's Bay was likely to hit 80 per cent of the eligible population having had their first dose this week, but thousands more vaccinations were needed.

"Summer is just eight weeks away. Super Saturday is a great opportunity for us to vaccinate as many people as possible so we can all enjoy more freedom this summer."

Mrs Brooking said there will be nearly 30 vaccination clinics open across Hawke's Bay on Saturday 16 October and goBay buses would be free.

"The Super Saturday clinics will make it super easy to get vaccinated. Either get your first dose or if it has been over three weeks since your first dose, get your second.

"The community and the councils have really got behind the event and there are lots of fun activities and giveaways planned for the various clinics," she said.

Mrs Brooking said even those fully vaccinated can help boost vaccination rates in Hawke's Bay further.

"If you are one of the many people who have already had the vaccine, well done. We still need your help - reach out to friends, whānau, and colleagues who are hesitant about getting vaccinated, or haven't done so yet, and encourage them to protect themselves and our community."

She said people can do this by spreading the word about Super Saturday, talking to people about why they got the vaccine and sharing accurate and reliable information, particularly as some misleading information was circulating.

"COVID-19 vaccines are the most well-studied vaccines ever made," she said. "Nearly 50 per cent of the world's population has had a Covid-19 vaccine, and more than 3 million people in Aotearoa have had their first Pfizer vaccine. This means we have lots of data to show the vaccine has been thoroughly assessed for safety."

Maraenui is one of the areas with the lowest vaccination rates in New Zealand, with half of the eligible population having one dose and less than a third fully vaccinated.

Napier City Council is working with the local community to get as many people as possible vaccinated through a walk-up clinic at Maraenui Rugby Club kicking off on Super Saturday from 9am to 1pm. The event is being run in conjunction with The Doctors Napier, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and Health HB.

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise believes there’s a role for everyone in raising the profile of the importance of vaccination for the greater good.

“As a country we are on a mission together to be in a position where we can enjoy the summer with more freedoms than we’re currently living with, where we can spend time with each other, go to events, keep our families safe. Vaccination is the best way to guarantee that,” Mayor Wise says.

Sally Crown, councillor for the Nelson Park Ward of which Maraenui is part, says basing a vaccination station in the heart of Maraenui is the best way to ensure families feel safe and supported to get vaccinated.

“We’re supporting this opportunity to get vaccinated close to home, with friends and family around,” says Councillor Crown. “It’ll be an informal, relaxed, comfortable atmosphere where people don’t need to book ahead, they can just come and our people will look after them.”

The main target is 12 to 39 year olds with families being encouraged to come to the event together to support each other.

In addition to the Super Saturday clinics, there are a number of regular weekly clinics and pop-up marae and church-based clinics. Information is available at hbcovidvaccine.nz. People can also go to www.bookmyvaccine.nz or call 0800 28 29 26 to book.

Super Saturday clinics:
Taradale/Greenmeadows

Unichem Greenmeadows 9.30am-3.30pm. Walk-ins welcome.
Greendale Medical Enrolled patients only. Booked only, call 06 844 8071
The Doctors Greenmeadows: 9.30am-3.30pm. Booked only, call 06 844 6277
Taradale Club (55 Wharerangi Road) 8.30am-4.30pm. Walk-ins welcome.
Taradale Medical Centre 9am-12pm. Booked only, call 06 844 6831
Glenn's Pharmacy 9am - 6pm Walk-ins welcome.

Napier

Pak 'n' Save Napier drive-thru 9am -7pm. Walk-ins welcome.
Carlyle Medical 9.30am-4pm. Walk-ins welcome.
Pukemokimoki Marae drive-thru 9am – 5pm Kaupapa Māori. Walk-ins welcome.

Westshore/Ahuriri

Westshore Pharmacy 9am - 2pm Walk-ins welcome.
Ahuriri Pharmacy 10am – 3.30pm Walk-ins welcome.

Hastings Central
Splash Planet drive-thru 9am - 7pm Drive-ins welcome.

Unichem Russell Street 7.30am - 7.30pm Walk-ins welcome.
Unichem Stortford Lodge 10am - 6pm Walk-ins welcome.
Unichem Hastings 9am - 5pm Walk-ins welcome.
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga drive-thru 10am - 3pm Drive-ins welcome.
Kirkpatrick Park, Camberley 5pm - 7 pm Walk-ins welcome.
Totara Health Nelson Street 1pm - 5.30pm Walk-ins welcome.
The Doctors Hastings 8.30am - 12.30pm Walk-ins welcome.

Flaxmere

Totara Health Flaxmere drive-thru 9am - 5.30pm Drive-ins welcome.
Cook Islands Community Centre 10am - 5.30pm Walk-ins welcome.

Havelock North

Gilmours – Havelock North 11am to 3pm Walk-ins welcome.
Te Mata Peak Practice 9.30am - 3.30pm Booked appointments only. Go to bookmyvaccine.nz

Central Hawke's Bay

Waipawa Rugby Club Rooms 9am - 6.30pm Booked appointments only. Go to bookmyvaccine.nz
Waipukurau Pharmacy 9am - 7.30pm Walk-ins welcome.
Waipukurau drive-thru Corner River Tce and St Joseph Street 10am – 6pm Drive-ins welcome.

Wairoa