The New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA) welcomes the Government’s decision to include rest home residents and staff in the first tranche of New Zealanders to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The Government has confirmed that Pfizer vaccines arriving in New Zealand from the end of March, will be allocated to the aged residential care sector with 35,000 for rest home residents and up to 30,0000 for staff, including caregivers and registered nurses. NZACA Chief Executive Simon Wallace said the decision is significant for the sector, older people and their families.
“We have seen the dire impact of COVID-19 on older people overseas and heartily welcome the Government’s decision to prioritise protecting our most vulnerable, the residents of rest homes
around New Zealand as well as the staff who care for them.
“We also congratulate the Government on its efforts to successfully get the Pfizer vaccine approved and into New Zealand in a timely manner. With the onset of winter and virulent new strains of the virus, our older people are even more vulnerable so it’s critical they get this safe and effective vaccine as soon as possible.
“Through February and March, we will work with the Ministry of Health to ensure the rollout across rest homes is fast, efficient and safe.”
