With winter comes an increase in seasonal illness and new variants circulating in the Hutt Valley. This puts pressure on our already overstretched primary and secondary care sectors and workforce – prevention and everyone taking personal responsibility for their health is key.
A push for higher rates of COVID-19, flu and MRR vaccinations needs a multipronged approach, especially for those who are high needs and hard to reach. General practices are working hard with their enrolled populations to recall vulnerable people while other providers are offering out of hours clinics to meet the needs of those who are attracted by a community-based option.
Te Awakairangi Health Network is running two Saturday events this month out of Te Whare Kahukura, a new community center based at the old Epuni Medical Centre site. The first event on 10 June saw 98 vaccinations being administered in a four-hour period with many family groups supporting each other and some receiving multiple vaccinations. Everyone who received a vaccination also received a goodie bag that contained supermarket vouchers, RATS, Masks, Piki merchandise, info numbers to call if in need and other miscellaneous items such as tissues, cup of soup, electrolytes and lozenges.
The success of this event showed that there is demand in the community and that people do respond to innovative ways to get them through the door. We are incredibly grateful for the fabulous Te Whare Kahukura resource that is close to transport links and high need communities as well as our experienced team of vaccinators, co-ordiators and admin staff.
