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The launch of the Covid-19 vaccine in the country is officially underway, and many of the 100 vaccinators today receive their first of two injections from Pfizer.
The 25 crew members, mostly nurses, received their vaccination at Auckland’s Jet Park hotel, so they can vaccinate front-line border personnel starting tomorrow.
Some vaccinators may get a mild tingling in their arms tomorrow when the tables turn and they start vaccinating border workers.
Experts say the injection in the arm to protect against Covid-19 will feel similar to the flu shot.
Peter McIntyre, a medical adviser professor at the Immunization Advisory Center, said: “Some people will have fever, others will have muscle aches and headaches, those kinds of things that are unpleasant but short-lived and can be treated with simple medications.
But the benefits were tangible, he said.
A vaccinator prepares one of New Zealand’s first Covid-19 vaccines on February 19.
Photo: Supplied / Ministry of Health
“On the one hand, that’s not so nice. On the other hand, it tells you that your immune system is responding appropriately to the vaccine and that it will be ready in case you find the real virus in the future,” McIntyre said.
“That is much better than wondering if he will contract the virus tomorrow.
Nurses Organization Professional Nurse Advisor Kate Weston said vaccinators were ready to be the first to get their shots today.
“It is a very important day for Aotearoa, which marks the start of a program. We are not dealing with an outbreak in the community, so for us it is a very proactive and strong place from which to start a vaccination program.”
The Health Ministry conducted a trial in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this week to troubleshoot and test the immunization schedule.
Twenty-five vaccinators were immunized on Friday.
Photo: Supplied / Ministry of Health
Starting tomorrow, border workers will be vaccinated, starting in Auckland.
It is expected to take several weeks before the 12,000 workers and their families are covered and they will need a second injection of the vaccine within 21 days.
The Vaccine Alliance is working together with the government on its Covid-19 immunization strategy.
Clinical director Dr. Fran Priddy said it was an important step in Aotearoa’s defense against the pandemic.
“People can feel very confident that this vaccine will protect them against symptomatic Covid.”
It would be important for the government and experts to encourage people to take the hit, Priddy said.
There was confidence that the vaccine would work despite some unknowns, he added /.
“We don’t really have data yet on whether this vaccine or any of the Covid-19 vaccines can prevent the spread of the virus, but it will definitely be highly effective against disease prevention.”
Planning scenarios from the Ministry of Health showed that if there was a Covid-19 outbreak, the population at risk would be next in line to receive the vaccine after health care and border workers.
The vaccine is expected to be available to the general public in the second half of this year.
