WELLINGTON, Sept 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealanders are continuing to step up, come forward and get vaccinated, with five million doses of Pfizer having now been administered, COVID-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins, said today.
As of midnight, 5,020,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine had been administered, with 3,231,444 first doses and 1,789,456 second doses, Hipkins said in a statement.
“The number of vaccines being given surged to more than 90,000 a day, in late Aug and we are now steadily delivering around 50,000 doses every day,” Hipkins said.
The one millionth dose milestone was reached three months ago, and the three millionth dose was administered a month ago. In the past month, a further two million doses were given out, he said, adding, the National Immunisation Booking System has nearly 1.3 million bookings, at nearly 680 active vaccination sites around New Zealand.
“Our vaccination workforce is embracing innovative ways, to ensure it’s as easy and attractive as possible, for people from all walks of life to get vaccinated,” he said.
Hipkins said, the country has plenty of vaccine supplies on hand, with more than 1.3 million vaccine doses in stock currently, and shipments arriving regularly.
“Being fully vaccinated gives people a high degree of protection against the Delta infection, severe illness, hospitalisation and death. A highly vaccinated population also gives us, as a country, more options for the future,” he added.
According to Director-General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield, the goal is to vaccinate 90 percent of New Zealand’s five million population at the end of 2021.– NNN-AGENCIES
