New Zealand’s first-ever ‘Vaxathon’ will take place this weekend on ‘Super Saturday’ (October 16) – a national day of action that calls on every remaining eligible New Zealander to get their Covid-19 vaccination.

Walk-in vaccinations will be available at both Aspiring Medical Centre and Wānaka Medical Centre on Saturday: Aspiring Medical Centre will be operating from the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre from 9.30am-5pm and Wānaka Medical Centre’s clinic will take place at the old Mitre 10 on Cliff Wilson Street from 9.30am-6pm. 

Wānaka Medical Centre’s clinic will continue in the same location on Sunday (October 17) from 9.30am-6pm.

The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) Covid-19 vaccination programme is aiming to vaccinate at least 90 per cent of the 12+ population by Christmas.

“We are now getting into the last push to protect our population and urge everyone who hasn’t yet received their vaccine to take the opportunity to now, not only to protect themselves, but to protect their whānau and wider community – especially those who are unable to get the vaccine themselves such as children under 12,” SDHB Covid-19 vaccination programme lead Hamish Brown said.

Ministry of Health Covid-19 vaccine and immunisation programme manager Tamati Sheppard-Wipiiti said Super Saturday, which is taking place around the country, was a call for a “massive collective effort” to increase vaccination figures across New Zealand.

“By far the biggest and most powerful weapon we have in our fight against Covid-19 is vaccination – so we really need everyone from our whānau, families and communities to step up and play their part, and to help us reach those who have not yet come forward.”

Recent data shared by the Ministry of Health shows 54 per cent of those eligible (12+ years old) for the Covid-19 vaccine in the Upper Clutha are fully vaccinated and 85 per cent have had one dose.

Eighty-five per cent of people in the Upper Clutha have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine so far. IMAGE: Supplied

Tamati encouraged people to get in touch with peers who aren’t sure yet if they want to get vaccinated and offer them a lift to a local vaccination centre, have a chat with them about your own vaccination experience, or go with them to the vaccination centre and shout them a coffee afterwards.

Anyone who has not yet been vaccinated but isn’t able to go to a walk-in clinic on Saturday or Sunday can book their vaccination here or by calling the Covid-19 Vaccine Healthline on 0800 282 926.