(Picture caption: Pacific peoples will benefit from the $1.5 million dollar boost to the Prepare Pacific Community Vaccination Fund. Photo: Supplied.)
New Zealand’s Government is providing a $1.5 million dollar boost to the Prepare Pacific Community Vaccination Fund to directly support Pacific community-led initiatives to encourage boosters and child vaccinations.
Associate Minister of Health Hon Aupito William Sio says the vaccine plays an important part in our preparations for Omicron.
“We need to ensure our 5–11-year-old Pacific children are vaccinated and all of our eligible Pacific peoples get their booster when they are due.
“It’s critical that we vaccinate our children before the coming winter.”
We have seen overseas the speed at which Omicron can overwhelm health care systems and impact essential services, and vaccination is the first step our families can take to prepare for the variant, Minister Sio adds.
To date, the Pacific community’s response to vaccinations has been excellent, national vaccination figures showing 97 percent of eligible people have received their first dose, and 94 percent are fully vaccinated with two doses.
“However, data for booster uptake shows Pacific rates are still low in comparison with other communities in Aotearoa,” the Minister says.
“Only 32 percent of Pacific people due for a booster have received one so far compared to 42 percent of Māori.
“It’s important our Pacific communities continue with their great response to vaccinations and this top up of the Prepare Pacific Community Vaccination Fund will ensure our communities have the resources to achieve the high vaccination rates we need to keep safe.”
Pacific community groups predominantly in Tāmaki Makaurau can apply for funding although groups from around Aotearoa are welcome to apply.
Community groups, Pacific churches, Pacific youth groups and other groups that work with marginalised Pacific communities will be eligible to apply for up to $40,000.
The Prepare Pacific Community Vaccination Fund, which is being managed by The Cause Collective, will run until June 30, 2022 or when funds have been fully distributed.
Visit the Prepare Pacific website for more information.