West Coast health workers scouring the region with Covid-19 vaccine offer

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Lois Williams:

West Coast health workers are about to head for the hills to offer Covid-19 vaccinations to rural people who may have missed out.

DHB general manager Phil Wheble told the board on Friday that 43 per cent of eligible West Coast residents were now fully vaccinated and 64 per cent have had their first shots. That compared to the national figure of 67 per cent who had received their first dose.

Vaccinations slowed to 1600 a week during the recent lockdown because of social distancing rules, Wheble said.

The campaign is about to crank up again with drive-through clinics arranged for Westport, Hokitika and Greymouth in October for everyone aged 12 and older.

The West Coast drive-through free vaccination clinics for people 12 and over will run from 10am to 4pm as follows:
- Westport (Saturday and Sunday, October 2-3), Pulse Energy Recreation Centre, corner of Domett and Pakington streets.
- Hokitika (Saturday and Sunday, October 9-10), Westland Milk Products staff car park, corner of Stafford and Livingstone streets.
- Greymouth (Friday, October 15 and Sunday, October 17), Greymouth Aerodrome.

Bookings can be made online at www.BookMyVaccine.nz... or by calling the National Booking team on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, seven days).