COVID-19 vaccination and testing update 6 January 2022
From Wednesday 5 January 2022, anyone aged 18 and over who had their second vaccination at least four months ago can now get their booster dose.
Getting a booster shot maintains your body's immune response against all strains of the COVID-19 virus, including the highly transmissible Omicron and Delta strains.
The Pfizer vaccine is the primary vaccine being used in New Zealand for booster doses, even if you had a different vaccine for your earlier doses.
Click through to read more about where to get your COVID-19 booster as well as an update on COVID-19 testing.
Read more about 'COVID-19 vaccination and testing update 6 January 2022'...
One new COVID-19 case confirmed in Nelson Tasman
The Ministry of Health has confirmed one new COVID-19 case in the Nelson Tasman region, bringing the total number of cases to 23.
- eight of the cases have recovered
- 15 cases are active
- all known close contacts of the cases are in quarantine
- the majority of cases are not fully vaccinated
Medical Officer of Health Dr Stephen Bridgman says that the cases fall into two clusters; there are 19 in one and 4 in the other.
- a likely source for the larger cluster is still being investigated
- for the smaller cluster there is both epidemiological and whole genomic sequencing data suggesting a possible source to a cluster in the North Island.
Read more about 'One new COVID-19 case confirmed in Nelson Tasman'...
Life under the traffic light system
You do not need to show your My Vaccine Pass to receive healthcare or to enter Nelson Marlborough Health facilities.
Nelson Marlborough Health is now Orange under the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights). This feels very similar to Alert Level 2 in that we continue to keep each other safe by scanning or signing-in, wearing a face mask and following public health measures including physical distancing.
In our hospitals, life at Orange means we protect each other by:
- Reducing the risk of exposure by limiting visitors to the hospital
- Understanding the risk by screening patients, support people and visitors at the front door and emergency department
- Following public health measures including:
- Scanning-in using the COVID-19 Tracer App
- Wearing a mask (Staff, patients, support people and visitors)
- Remaining physically distant and following hand-hygiene and cough etiquette
Please remember, limiting our interactions with others is our best defence against COVID-19. Please don’t visit the hospital if you don’t need to.
In the know
Read more about 'Life under the traffic light system'...
Shellfish biotoxin alert: Grove Arm, Marlborough Sounds
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has issued a shellfish biotoxin alert for Grove Arm, Marlborough Sounds.
Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish should not be eaten.
Cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin, which can cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning.
Refer to the MPI advisory for full information and a map of the affected area.
Read more about 'Shellfish biotoxin alert: Grove Arm, Marlborough Sounds'...
Nelson Marlborough District Health Board Meeting 23 November 2021
Members of the public are welcome to attend the following Nelson Marlborough District Health Board meeting to be held Tuesday 23 November 2021 at 10.00am, Seminar Centre Room 1, Braemar Campus, Nelson Hospital.
Read more about 'Nelson Marlborough District Health Board Meeting 23 November 2021'...
End of life choices: Learn more at our next lecture
From 7 November 2021 people who experience unbearable suffering from a terminal illness will be able to legally ask for medical assistance to end their lives. This is different to end of life palliative care.
Hear from experts in the field as they discuss their experiences of palliative care in New Zealand and assisted dying services in Victoria, Australia.
Date: Monday 8 November, 6pm
Venue: Suter Theatre, 208 Bridge Street, Nelson
Alternatively, join us via Zoom.
All details are on this webpage.
Read more about 'End of life choices: Learn more at our next lecture'...
COVID-19 case confirmed in Blenheim: Get tested, get vaccinated
Have you been at one of the same locations as the Blenheim or Christchurch COVID-19 cases?
Find out and follow the instructions. Or if you have even the slightest of cold symptoms and live in Marlborough, Nelson or Tasman, please get tested (even if you've been vaccinated).
The locations of interest have been confirmed and are listed here (enter 'Blenheim' or 'Christchurch' into the search box or use the map view).
Read about symptoms to be alert to on the Ministry of Health website here.
If you need your first or second vaccination, please get this. Vaccination clinic locations across the region are listed on our webpage here.
Read more about 'COVID-19 case confirmed in Blenheim: Get tested, get vaccinated'...
Nelson Marlborough Health District Health Board Meeting 26 October 2021
Members of the public are welcome to attend the following Nelson Marlborough District Health Board meeting to be held by Zoom at 12.30pm 26 October.
For a Zoom link, please email [email protected]
Read more about 'Nelson Marlborough Health District Health Board Meeting 26 October 2021'...
The 90% goal: We are getting there Nelson Marlborough!
Here is the latest COVID-19 vaccination data for our region. This shows how we are tracking towards the Government's goal for 90% of eligible New Zealanders to be fully vaccinated.
Once this target has been reached, the Government will replace the current Alert Level system with a 'traffic light' system that does not rely on lockdowns as the main measure to stop the virus spreading. To find out more about the new system: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/covid-19-protection/
Read more about 'The 90% goal: We are getting there Nelson Marlborough!'...
Super Saturday: Don't wait, vaccinate!
It has never been more urgent to get New Zealand vaccinated
Summer is just 8 weeks away and we need everyone to book their first vaccine appointment now so they can get 2 doses and enjoy everything a classic Kiwi summer has to offer.
The more of us are fully vaccinated, the more protection we will have against COVID-19, and the more freedom this gives us. That is why we are asking you to support our national day of action on Saturday 16 October — Super Saturday.
If you have not been vaccinated yet, vaccine clinics will be open all over the country, all day and into the evening. We have pop-ups, drive-throughs and more. Super Saturday events and other ways to get vaccinated are listed here.
Read more about 'Super Saturday: Don't wait, vaccinate!'...