December 21, 2023
Vaccines ease worries about Christmas Covid spike
Epidemiologist Michael Baker says whānau should not pass up the opportunity to get together over summer weather despite this month’s COVID-19 wave.
There were 7417 new cases reported last week with 354 people in hospital and four deaths.
Professor Baker says access to vaccines and antivirals and the ability to move more gatherings outdoors makes Covid more manageable.
“The main thing is that if you are older, and for Māori and Pacific people that’s 60 years of age and over, or you have underlying health issues, particularly with your lungs, or heart or circulation system or diabetes, then it’s really important that you are up to date. And fortunately, the vaccine is free in New Zealand – hopefully that will continue,” he says.
Professor Baker says Māori leadership in protecting their communities during the pandemic contributed to New Zealand’s below zero excess COVID 19 mortality rate.