1358 days ago

Government releases Covid-19 vaccine delivery schedule, elderly and people with pre-existing conditions to be prioritised

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Chris Hipkins has unveiled New Zealand's Covid-19 vaccination timetable.

Read more in Thomas Manch's story below:

The Government intends to dole out the Covid-19 vaccine to about half of New Zealand by the end of June, and the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions are “priority populations” to receive early access.

A long-awaited schedule for the Pfizer vaccine roll-out was published by Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday, and showed the country carved into four groups.

“This is a balanced plan that prioritises reducing the chance of future outbreaks while protecting our elders, those with underlying health conditions and those who live in locations where we know outbreaks have occurred,” Hipkins said in a statement.

The first group to receive the vaccine, border workers and their families, would be completed by the end of March.

The second, 480,000 frontline healthcare workers and people living in “high-risk settings” has already begun and would continue until May.

The 234,000 people living in these “high-risk settings” include older people and people with pre-existing health conditions in the Counties Manukau District Health Board (DHB) area, people in residential aged-care facilities, and older people living in a family environment that poses a similar risk to aged-care homes.

“Anyone who lives in the Counties Manukau DHB area who is 65 and older or who has an underlying health condition is also in Group 2. This recognises that there are many border operations and MIQ facilities and their workforces based in this area,” Hipkins said.

The third round of the roll-outs would be for all other people aged 75 years old, then 65 years old, then people with pre-existing health conditions which include heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory conditions, kidney disease, and cancer.

The Government hopes to begin vaccinating this group – 1.7 million people in total – in May.

The fourth group is the remainder of the population, 2 million people who will start receiving the vaccine from July.

What do you think of the schedule for the Pfizer vaccine roll-out?

*Please put NFP if you do not want your comments used by Stuff.

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More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.5% Yes
    82.5% Complete
  • 14.7% No
    14.7% Complete
  • 2.8% Other - I'll share below
    2.8% Complete
1804 votes
3 days ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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14 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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