Published Tuesday 31 Aug 2021

Porirua's Pacific community turned up to be vaccinated by the carload at a drive-through clinic in Porirua.

This contributed to seeing the highest number of doses administered to Pacific People in Wellington, with 1107 vaccinations across various sites last week.

This clinic followed the success of the kaupapa Māori Waiwhetū drive-through which began last weekend with 600 doses delivered in the first two days.

Wellington City was next in line, with a drive-through clinic at Sky Stadium in Wellington City opening soon after. The first day on Friday 27 August was for essential workers and their bubbles, while the general public were next to be able to book in.

In Porirua, cars lined up from early morning at the pop-up clinic in North City Plaza Porirua, facilitated by Ora Toa, Pacific health providers, and Whitireia School of Nursing.

The Porirua drive-through clinic finished on 31 August. People can get vaccinated at Ora Toa's clinic at 4 Lydney Place in Porirua.

2DHB Pacific Health director Junior Ulu said the initial focus was on vaccinating Māori, Pacific, and Disabled people. "These minority groups can get lost," he said. "So the DHB has prioritised reaching out to these groups."

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact on Pacific communities in New Zealand. As Pacific people also experience worse health outcomes, this is a worrying time, and so CCDHB's Pacific Health team has doubled down on efforts to make sure families are tested and vaccinated.

The team pivoted from the 'festival days' – mass vaccination events aimed at Pacific People that took place at alert level 1 – to lower-contact events that are safer under alert level 4. It's been able to achieve this by working closely with government departments, inter-agency organisations, church leaders, and crucially with Pacific Health providers.