15 June 2021
BOPDHB COVID-19 Alert The Bay of Plenty DHB COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to progress well. As of 15 June 2021:
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44,820 vaccinations have been administered across the Bay of Plenty DHB catchment to 29,511 people,
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13,375 vaccinations have been administered to the healthcare workforce; 7,350 healthcare workers have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and
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6,267 vaccinations have been administered to 3,679 aged residential care staff and residents.
These figures show 17% progress towards the 80% coverage target of 172,000 people. This Alert aims to keep you informed as the rollout progresses. Please share this Alert with colleagues who also want to be kept informed. Please contact your PHO/PHA to be added to their distribution list. For details on regular primary care briefings and questions, please contact your relevant clinical lead: Western Bay of Plenty: Dr Claire Isham via clairei@wboppho.org.nz Eastern Bay of Plenty: Dr Rachel Shouler via rachel.shouler@bopdhb.govt.nz
Ngā mihi nui BOPDHB COVID-19 vaccine team
Pfizer vaccine supply
The BOPDHB remains ahead of schedule in our vaccine rollout plan. There is a sufficient supply of the Pfizer vaccine for district health boards to collectively deliver half a million vaccinations as planned over the next five weeks. However, stocks will be tight for the next five weeks and we are carefully managing this. Even though this is a more tightly managed phase, more than 100,000 doses will be administered per week across the country, and more than half a million doses will be administered in the next five weeks. The first and second doses for Groups 1 and 2 remain the BOPDHB’s priority and we are keeping our Group 3 bookings at a steady rate for the next five weeks. Approximately 88,000 people are a part of Group 3 in the Bay of Plenty DHB catchment area, or half of our 80% coverage target.
Local information VACCINE BOOKINGS IN THE BAY OF PLENTY We are currently offering the vaccine to Groups 1, 2 and 3 which include: • • • • • • •
Border workers and their household contacts Frontline healthcare workers Māori and Pacific kaumātua and their whānau People aged 65 years and older People aged 16 years and older with some underlying health conditions* People with disabilities and their carers Pregnant people.
*The Ministry of Health has clarified which underlying health conditions create eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine under Group 3. Find out more here. Those eligible and living in the Western Bay and Tauranga can call 0800 829 000 to book. Those eligible and living in the Eastern Bay of Plenty can call 0800 829 001 to book. In addition, patients in Groups 1, 2 and 3 wishing to be vaccinated in Ōpōtiki can book directly through their general practice.
WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY • • •
87 First Avenue, Tauranga Trustpower Baypark stadium, Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui Opening 22 June: Katikati RSA & Citizens Club, Corner Henry & Main Roads, Katikati
EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY • • • •
11 Quay Street, Whakatāne Closing 22 June: Whakatāne Hospital, Corner Stewart and Garaway Streets, Whakatāne Firmin Lodge, Waterhouse Street, Kawerau Whakatōhea Health Centre, 32A King Street, Ōpōtiki
POP-UP, MOBILE AND HAPORI BASED SERVICES The vaccine is also being delivered to relevant populations throughout the Bay of Plenty through the following organisations and services: • • • • • •
Ngā Mataapuna Oranga Ngāti Ranginui mobile vaccination service Poutiri Trust Te Kaha Medical Centre Te Puna Ora o Mataatua Te Whānau-ā-Apanui Community Health Centre.
HAPORI-BASED COVID-19 VACCINATION SERVICES SCHEDULE The Hapori-based COVID-19 Vaccination Services schedule covering the western and eastern Bay of Plenty rohe can be found in the resources/rauemi section of Te Pare ō Toi website and will be updated when new information becomes available. You can view and download the hapori-based vaccination schedule here.
ST JOHN AMBULANCE HEALTH SHUTTLE SERVICE - WESTERN BAY People with limited mobility (including elderly and people with disabilities) in the Western Bay of Plenty can book the St John Ambulance Health Shuttle service to assist them to and from their vaccination appointments. The shuttle operates between 9 am and 3.30 pm. Bookings for the service fill up quickly so people are encouraged to get in touch early. You or your patients can contact Leena Patel, St John Ambulance Health Shuttle Administrator, via 0800 824 325 (extension: 8663) or leena.patel@stjohn.org.nz.
UPDATED ORDER FORM FOR COVID-19 PRE-VACCINE INFORMATION The BOPDHB COVID-19 Pre-Vaccination Printed Information order form has been updated with new resources including a ‘COVID-19 vaccinations are underway’ flyer. This flyer includes Group 3 eligibility details and booking information. You can access the form here.
PATIENT COVID-19 IMMUNISATION RECORD Patients can only request a copy of their COVID-19 immunisation history from their GP, not through the booking centre. This request is usually made for travel purposes and practices can charge this cost if they feel it is necessary.
National information COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH The latest COVID-19 Vaccine Update e-newsletter can be read here. Included is a programme update, a campaign encouraging people to join the vaccine workforce, an update for vaccinators, and a clinical resource list.
UPDATE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH Dr Ashley Bloomfield’s latest e-newsletter can be read here. Included is an update on the vaccine supply from Pfizer, the vaccine rollout, material to support decision-making in people with disabilities and their carers, the dedicated COVID-19 vaccine Ministry of Health webpage for healthcare professionals, and getting tested for COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine.
GUIDANCE FOR RECEIVING THE COVID-19 VACCINE WHILST PREGNANT The Ministry of Health has updated its guidance on pregnant people receiving the vaccine and encourages pregnant people, who are a part of Group 3, to receive the vaccine at any stage of their pregnancy. This is because people who are pregnant can become very sick if they become infected with COVID-19. The Ministry is citing evidence from the large number of pregnant people who have already been vaccinated globally. This evidence indicates that there are no safety concerns with administering COVID-19 vaccines at any stage of pregnancy. Vaccinating during pregnancy may also be helpful for the baby, as there is evidence of antibody transfer in cord blood and breast milk, which may offer protection to infants through passive immunity.