March 10, 2022
Covid minister fights vax misinformation
Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins says misinformation is a significant factor in the Māori vaccine gap.
Mr Hipkins says as the country moves into the next phases of the Covid response, vaccination is key.
The borders are reopening, the managed isolation and quarantine system is being wound down, and from Friday people who get Covid only need to self-isolate for seven days rather than 10 days.
He keeps a close eye on vaccine uptake in Māori communities.
“We know that misinformation is playing a disproportionate role, particularly in Māori communities and we are really actively trying to combat that so people know that it is safe to be vaccinated and it is important to be vaccinated but there is still work to do there so we are not sitting back and relaxing,” Mr Hipkins says.
People who may have been uncomfortable about taking an MRNZ vaccine like the Pfizer vaccine may want to try the more traditional Novavax vaccine which is now available.