Get ready for winter at pop-up clinic

A pop-up vaccination clinic is operating at Kuirau Park Market on Saturday, May 28. Photo: File.

A "second wave" of Omicron infections and the opening of the border has prompted local health organisations to bring a pop-up vaccination clinic to Kuirau Park Market this Saturday, May 28.

The clinic will be running from 8:30 –11:30am, with free flu and Covid vaccines available, as well as plenty of prizes up for grabs.

Korowai Aroha General Manager Hariata Vercoe says an increase in Omicron infections is expected over winter and with the border opening, the arrival of new strains of cold and flu is inevitable.

'Getting vaccinated is still our best defence against getting seriously sick with Covid and it's not too late to get a first or second dose," says Hariata. "Even if you've already had Covid, it doesn't provide the same level of protection as getting the vaccine. We want as many people in our community protected this winter as possible."

Hariata says with our border open again, the risk of being exposed to new types of the flu virus is high, so it's just as important to get vaccinated against the flu as well.

'If you're Māori or Pacific Island and over the age of 55 you're eligible to have your free vaccine, and same with over 65s and anyone with underlying health conditions. You can get the flu and COVID vaccine at the same time, so it's the perfect time to bring the whole whānau down to get ready for winter," says Hariata.

'The pop-up clinic is a great oppotunity for whānau to ask pātai and kōrero about their concerns for themselves or their tamariki with a health professional. We have a great, fun team and we're here to help awhi anyone and everyone.”

To pre-register, free text ‘Kuirau' to 2044, or just turn up on the day.

Te Arawa drive-through clinic is also open Sunday 10am – 4pm and Monday 12pm – 6pm. The first 100 people through will get a free hāngi.

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