The region’s latest vax stats

The message in yesterday’s announcement by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was for most unvaccinated people across Wairarapa and New Zealand to get vaccinated quickly.

The most recent vaccination figures for Wairarapa were released yesterday afternoon by the DHB. They showed 67 per cent of the population were fully vaccinated, with 83 per cent at one dose. Maori rates were 44 per cent fully vaccinated and 64 per cent at one dose. Pasifika had 79 per cent at one dose and 61 per cent fully vaccinated.

Ardern set out a path towards a new normal, which relied on each DHB’S population being 90 per cent fully vaccinated. After that, a new ‘traffic light’ system based on vaccine certificates would allow businesses to operate and events to go ahead.

Wairarapa MP Kieran Mcanulty said vaccinations were a key part of the new framework, which would provide businesses with the confidence to continue operating.

“For event organisers, hospitality operators and retailers in Wairarapa, they now have the certainty they need to carry on,” he said.

He had a clear message for those choosing not to get vaccinated:

“If you want to enjoy a Wairarapa summer, get vaccinated. People who want to go to the pub or other places need to be vaccinated.

“By all means, choose not to get vaccinated, but you won’t be able to have as much fun as the rest of the country,” he said.

Mcanulty said the framework balanced opening up with staying safe.

“We must make sure we have our vaccinations up to a place where we can open safely. This will protect our hospitals and our vulnerable. I am confident we will get to 90 per cent quicker than people anticipate.

“For those who are reluctant to get vaccinated, this gives them the impetus they need,” he said.

Mcanulty had his second dose of the vaccine on Super Saturday.

All three Wairarapa mayors also told the Times-age they had received both doses.

South Wairarapa mayor Alex Beijen was happy to provide confirmation.

“The vaccine is essential for the wellbeing of our district, and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated,” he said.

Carterton Mayor Greg Lang said that individuals needed to grasp the big picture and get vaccinated for the greater good.

Anna Cardno, communications manager at Wairarapa DHB, said the announcement provided a clear picture of the pathway to normal.

“As a DHB, we are doing all we can to ensure that everyone eligible in Wairarapa is vaccinated,” she said. “We are making vaccination as accessible as it can be.”

She said it was in everyone’s interest to support vaccinations to live, work and play as they wanted to.

“If we are not vaccinated, our job is to get the jabs, and if we are vaccinated, our job is to encourage others to.

“Wairarapa is an amazing community, and we are really good at mobilising and getting things done. This might be the most important time to mobilise we’ve ever known.”

Sandra Williams, Wairarapa DHB senior responsible officer for covid-19 vaccination, said arrangements were being made so that vaccines were available to everyone who wanted them.

“We want to make sure everyone has effortless access to vaccination; that’s why we are bringing our clinics to the people – even right to their own door if that’s where they want it,” she said.

The DHB had permanent clinics in Featherston and Masterton and had been to Pirinoa, Martinborough, Carterton, Greytown, Mauriceville, Mcjorrow Park, and Makoura College.

Today, the Castlepoint fishing club would host a clinic from 11am to 5.30pm. The Tekau Ma Iwa pop-up vaccination team would be at Mcjorrow Park in Masterton from 2pm to 6pm. The clinic would offer free kai, korero, and nurse assessments.

Vaccinations at workplaces and residential care facilities were available by arrangement.

“We are doing everything we can to vaccinate anyone eligible, anywhere. We just need people to roll up their sleeves. Anyone wanting vaccination close to home can email our team to organise a visit,” Williams said.