NZ GOVERNMENT Final preparations were under way on Thursday to ensure phase 1 of the vaccination rollout is ready to go. OPINION: The Government is relying on a policy of persuasion to counter Covid-19 anti-vaxxers and vaccine hesitators, but that policy is both inadequate and at odds with its elimination strategy. While Israel, the nation most advanced in rolling out Covid vaccinations is using carrot and stick, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says vaccination will be “highly recommended, but not mandatory”. “Our policy is on providing clear, consistent access to trusted and transparent information,” he emailed in response to questions. The Government focus is on the ability to access vaccines, together with the logistical challenge of a mass vaccination programme, while conversations that should be taking place about how we deal with so-called “vaccine hesitancy” are being wilfully avoided.