Vaccine clinics a success thanks to dedicated locals
Vaccine clinic success in the Hurunui District has been the result of efficient team work and great initiative by the communities.
Even before the recent lockdown, during the lockdown, and during the weeks following, Amuri Community Health Centre and Cheviot Community Heath Centre set up vaccine clinics to serve both their local communities and those staying in the area during lockdown who were not enrolled with the Centres.
Practice Manager at Cheviot Community Health Centre Donna Hill said all their enrolled patients aged 12 and over were contacted. The vaccines were administered from the Medical Centre under Alert Levels 4 and 3, and over time there were drive-thru clinics in the carpark.
“The drive-thru clinics were very well received from the community and we have expressed our thanks to the Cheviot FENZ (volunteer fire brigade) for the wonderful traffic management they provided during these weeks.”
Donna said the uptake has been great, and they are busy with people booking in for their second dose which will be steady until early November.
“The plan from now on is to again contact the people in our community who are still thinking about it, answering their questions, and trying to get the percentage up more for the best protection for everyone.”
Practice manager at Amuri Health Centre Gary Mitchell said the vaccination clinic set up in Rotherham had a dedicated area in the waiting room for those receiving their jabs.
“Our team are dedicated and committed to caring for our community and would like to thank our community for being proactive and coming to get their vaccinations.”
Both centres were carrying out up to 300 vaccinations each week, and plan to continue this great work. Solid team work was evident, everyone on board and working many extra hours than normal, to get the job done which included phone calls to make appointments, finding people to fill the gaps when appointments were postponed or cancelled, preparing and drawing up the vaccine, and work on the ground to make the entire process smooth and easy.
