The nurse, who was working at a recently set up Covid-19 vaccine clinic, notified friends and family on a personal social media page on Sunday about the sudden availability of more than 1000 doses. Templeton GP Peter Wilkinson said a nurse from his practice went to the clinic with her partner, where they received their first dose, along with about 300 others.
ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins, left, and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announce the Covid-19 vaccine rollout details. Wilkinson said he believed the nurse turned to social media because she understood the surplus vaccines would be destroyed, and was backed by a senior staffer.
Canterbury nurse turns to social media to dodge Covid-19 vaccine waste stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Immunising the second group, New Zealand’s 480,000 frontline healthcare workers, and 234,000 people living in “high-risk settings” like rest homes has already begun, and will continue until May. The third round of vaccinations will be for all other people aged 75 or over, then those over 65, then people with pre-existing health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory conditions and cancer.
RNZ
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson says the Government is flexible about who gets to stand at the front of the queue for the Covid-19 vaccine. The Government hopes to begin vaccinating this group – 1.7 million people – in May. The rest of the population, two million people, will start receiving the vaccine from July.