Bookings are a shot in the dark

Wairarapa people desperate to get their covid-19 vaccination have been let down by an ineffective booking system.

Bernice Parker, 84, has been phoning every hour for the past three days, trying to book her and her husband’s covid-19 vaccines.

She received texts on Tuesday inviting them to book in, but the District Health Board [DHB] hasn’t picked up the phone once.

Communications Manager for the health board, Anna Cardno, said there had been such a “huge appetite” to book vaccinations, “which is extremely pleasing, but has certainly caused frustration for callers”.

A new call centre was operational as of yesterday which, was expected to “alleviate the congestion”.

Cardno apologised and acknowledged the frustration people felt, particularly over the past two weeks.

“We are working as quickly as we can to improve the service and ensure our callers have a good experience from their invitation right through to their second dose.”

Parker said she and her husband Frank, also aged 84, were desperate to get the vaccine for their safety.

“I rang and rang this morning, but I couldn’t get anything, so I rang the hospital, and they gave me the same number I had from the text. I then rang the medical centre, and they also gave me the same number. That was it.”

She said that when she calls, it always reaches and answerphone saying, “you’re either ringing outside of our hours which are from 8am-4pm, or we’re busy”.

Parker said she could see elderly people missing out on the vaccine because they wouldn’t know how to book in.

The Vaccinate Greater Wellington website, which covers Wairarapa DHB, Hutt Valley DHB, and Capital and Coast DHB, said people in group three would be invited directly, over time, and given clear instructions on how to book their vaccination.

The website instructed the public that when they heard from the DHB, they were to “follow the simple instructions to call the 0800 call centre to book your appointment at a time that suits you”.

“There are 20,000 people in group three in Wairarapa and, while we are working as fast as we can, we simply can’t vaccinate everyone all at once,” the website said.

Parker said she felt unsafe being un-vaccinated.

“I play golf down in Carterton so we’re mixing with other people, we’re out shopping at the supermarket too.”

She said one of the first cases of covid-19 in Wairarapa had been a member of Carterton Golf Club.

Parker said it was evident that elderly people were at risk.

She hoped something could be done to make getting the vaccine easier for elderly people.

When asked what could be done to make it easier, Parker said the DHB could start with answering the phone. “It’s simple,” she said.

The DHB agreed.

“It is disappointing the Parkers have had so much trouble, and it is not good enough,” Cardno said.

“We hope the changes we have made to the booking service will deliver what our community needs.”

Parker said she was aware that some people would not want to get the vaccine, but she felt that many elderly people desperately wanted it for protection.

“I must admit that I am a bit nervous about having it because I’ve had blood clots in the past, but I will still go ahead with having it and take that chance,” she said.

Although she was desperate to get vaccinated, Parker said she was fortunate to be living in Wairarapa.

“We’re sort of isolated to a point; we’re fortunate in a lot of ways.”