Having over 70 members of Taupō’s Pacific community – Tokelauan, Samoan, Tongan and Fijian – attend a roadshow about Covid-19 and influenza vaccines was a great outcome, said organiser Elizabeth Tasi.

The DHB’s commitment to flexibility in rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine to the Pacific community was also encouraging, she said.

Doctors Apisalome Talemaitonga and Mary Toloa, and Minister of Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio were in attendance on May 7 to discuss the vaccine along with Lakes District Health Board representatives Pip King and Robin Chan, supported by Taupō Mayor David Trewavas.

Tasi said she would follow up with community leaders on their ideas – such as church or family groups being vaccinated in one lot – and convey them to King.

The community fono, a Ministry of Health and Ministry of Pacific Peoples’ initiative, involved Dr Talemaitonga and Dr Toloa discussing the science behind the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, as well, with Minister Sio, as their personal experience in ‘receiving their jabs.’

Talemaitonga said it was important to remember three things: that clinical trials had proved it had 95 per cent effectiveness (and even a high degree of efficacy against new variants), that New Zealand had been able to observe the roll-out in other countries and had not had to rush as there was no community transmission, and that the vaccine had been approved by independent body Medsafe.

Toloa stressed the need to continue with other health measures: handwashing, mask wearing where appropriate and using the contact tracing app.

She had felt few side effects from her second jab.

Sio said he was confident about the Pfizer vaccine.

“Church leaders have a role to play – bring your congregations, bring your families… Every person will react differently to the vaccine, but it’s safe.”

Never had the world seen such global co-operation before, and if 2020 was the year of Covid-19, 2021 was the year to get vaccinated, he said.

Talemaitonga stressed that the vaccine was free to all, irrespective of status.

“Visitors, or workers or a tourist stuck here are included just the same as New Zealanders and permanent residents.”

To which the minister added: “And the Ministry of Health is not talking to the Ministry of Immigration if anyone is worried about that.”

Pamphlets about not getting vaccinated should be thrown in the bin, he said.

The tier three (people at high risk) vaccine roll out in Taupō would take place from a vaccination centre in Totara Street, opposite the Taupō Hospice Shop from late May, said King.

Those over 65 or with conditions like diabetes, heart disease or emphysema could already call or email to book in an appointment, she said. Retirement home residents would be treated at their aged care facility.

As for any preferences the Pacific community might have, she said: “We have some ideas but want to hear from you.”

The centre would be open from Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm with possibly a late night, until 7pm, to be included.

Those receiving a vaccination would need to allow 30-40 minutes to cover registration, explanations and time spent under observation, said King.

Credit:Stuff.co.nz