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January 17, 2022
Tamihere calls for more urgency in child vaccinations
Waatea Team
Posted On January 17, 2022
Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency Chief Executive John Tamihere is urging Māori parents and caregivers to get their tamariki aged five to 11 years vaccinated without delay.
A child version of the Pfizer vaccine will be available from this Monday (17 January 2022). To be fully protected, children need two doses at least eight weeks apart.
The Ministry of Health is working with iwi, district health boards, hauora providers and community groups to roll out the Pfizer vaccine to children in ways that suit whānau and communities.
But Tamihere is concerned that they’re not treating the paediatric vaccination campaign with enough urgency particularly given that 25 per cent of all Māori are under the age of 12.
From this Monday, parents and caregivers can go to a walk-in vaccination centre with their tamariki or book online through Book My Vaccine to get immunised with their usual health provider, hauora or general practice.
While Covid-19 generally has milder effects in children, with symptoms being similar to a cold, some become severely ill and require hospitalisation.
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