Source: NorthTec
NorthTec has partnered with the Northland District Health Board to host a Mobile Vaccination Clinic offering Covid-19 jabs at campuses across the region.
The buses have been positioned in campus parking lots so that ākonga (learners), kaimahi (staff) and whānau can pop in without an appointment and get their vaccination easily and quickly.
The ‘Jab and Snag’ events allow people to get their jab and snag a feed from the complimentary sausage sizzle while they wait the required 15 minutes afterwards.
The first event took place last week at the Future Trades campus in Dyer Street, Whangārei. Northland DHB nurses performed the vaccinations while NorthTec staff operated the sausage sizzle, with the event proving successful as learners and staff drew in family and friends to get their shots.
The mobile clinic then visited the Kaikohe learning centre followed by Te Pou o Manako – NorthTec’s Kerikeri campus. While some students and staff received their first vaccine, others took the opportunity to get their second shot (within the required timeframe), rather than waiting for booked appointments off-site. Further visits are being planned to the Raumanga, Kaitaia and Dargaville campuses.
NorthTec learners and staff were able to get their vaccinations without disrupting their learning or teaching schedule, and without needing to book an appointment. Feedback from students was positive and the initiative was seen as an easy way to get vaccinated.
Sam Kelly, NorthTec Deputy Director, Products and Delivery, said: “Finding the time to get vaccinated around study, work, and life commitments isn’t always easy. By partnering with the DHB we’re helping people get their vaccinations without needing to make appointments and go elsewhere. They’re able to get their shots as part of their day spent on campus. The mobile clinics are also able to vaccinate whānau of students and staff, and members of the community who can pop in without an appointment.”
The Northland DHB team were also available to discuss the Covid-19 vaccination process, answer any questions and provide information about the vaccines.
NorthTec and Northland DHB are now looking at using the mobile clinics to return to campuses to provide the second Covid-19 vaccination, after a six-week interval.
