Auckland Councillor Daniel Newman is determined not to let up on the COVID-19 vaccination crusade.
The Manurewa-Papakura ward representative has been on the frontline advocating for immunisation and is urging anyone still to be vaccinated to make use of the Rosehill College pop-up centre on Saturday and Sunday between 9am-3pm.
Working alongside marae, community groups, Pasifika and Māori organisations, arranging sponsorships to incentivise the jab, and championing pop-up clinics at schools and in suburban neighbourhoods, he has seen thousands get vaccinated.
Firmly on the side of vaccination, Newman says it’s essential as COVID-19 seeds in every neighbourhood across Auckland, that every resident rolls up their sleeve and becomes part of the solution.
“The Rosehill community is home to more than 4000 residents and its eligible adult population qualifying for the Pfizer vaccine is 3368.
“We need every last resident to be fully vaccinated and not just the 82.8 per cent who have received their first dose or 63.8 per cent who have received two doses.
“Living with COVID-19 means vaccinating against it. Our children can’t be vaccinated right now, so they’re relying on the rest of us to get vaccinated to protect them,” he says.
COVID-19 is seeking out the unvaccinated, Newman says, putting pressure on hospitals and clinicians, with children losing months being stuck at home away from the classroom and their friends.
“Local businesses have suffered through constrained trade and the lockdown has been detrimental to mental health. We have to move away from illness and lockdown and the way to do that is to get jabbed.
“I’m working with Rosehill College and other schools and community organisations by standing up events that bring the vaccination to every community. We’ll have a great two days at Rosehill. Don’t book, just turn up. Bring everyone aged 12 and over, first jab or second. Just come.”
Rosehill College’s Anne Henwood says it's important mahi for the school to be involved with.
“The school is honoured to be involved in this very important event and we are working to make it a safe, fun event for our community.
“As a school, we are proud to lead from the front and give our community confidence to say we can all do this together.”
