Central Otago is inching its way closer to its Covid-19 vaccination milestones, with eight of the 11 local areas achieving over 90% first dose. 

Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan says great work has been done to boost Central’s numbers up in the last week. 

“We have now got 8 out of 11 of the areas StatsNZ breaks the district up into over the 90% mark for first doses, which is a great result,” he says. 

“Congratulations to the Teviot Valley which has had a massive 8.7% growth in the number of fully vaccinated people. Plenty of work to do, but that’s a great leap forward.”

Mayor Tim wants there is a way to go until Central reaches its 90% double-dose vaccination.

“We need to remember that Covid is coming and it takes three weeks from the first vaccine to the second and another couple of weeks to get the full effect of the second, so five weeks to get the full benefit from your first shot.  

“So please; don’t leave it too late getting the protection you need from this dangerous illness.”

Central Otago’s current vaccination rates. 

A "Super Weekend" of walk-in vaccinations is scheduled for this weekend at Alexandra Family Medical.

You can find your local vaccination centre by visiting the BookMyVaccine website, here.

Alexandra Family Medical general practitioner Dr Joost Breuk says the problem is to convince people who have bought into misinformation and are not getting vaccinated.

“The problem is anyone who is not immunised, it will increase the amount of exposure to others," he says.

“Most people are contagious before they know it. If you have groups of people who are not immunised, it will infect the rest of the community. 

“We have a good number (vaccinated) already, but we have some to convince.”

Joost says it isn’t a matter of 'if' Covid-19 and the deadlier strains get to Central Otago, it is a matter of 'when'. 

“It will be here soon, very likely - I don’t think we can hide forever,” he says.

“There are studies out there which say it (the vaccine) is safer than paracetamol, safer than the (contraceptive) pill."

Joost says he has confidence and belief in the vaccine, as well as the testing and approval process they have been put through.

“They (pharmaceutical companies) can’t afford to produce a product which puts people at risk, so they test it thoroughly,” he says. 

“They don’t want to make a product which fails, otherwise they go bankrupt or are sued.

“They (vaccines) were put through quicker because the paperwork was sped up because this was a high priority to public health.

“If there is any risk in the vaccine, we know it is much safer than getting Covid itself.”

Joost says those who may have doubts about the vaccine and may cling to conspiracy theories are down to too much consumption of media and the internet. 

“We find too much (information) in the media and they find all the beliefs. You try to convince people but if the belief is too strong, you can’t try to change that.

He urges anyone who has not been vaccinated to speak to their GP and look into getting vaccinated. 

“Any day longer in lockdown costs money. It is everyone’s duty to work on this together.”

You can find your local vaccination centre by visiting the BookMyVaccine website, here.

Alexandra Family Medical will run free, walk-in vaccinations this Saturday and Sunday between 9am-11am and 3pm-5pm.