North Canterbury News: April 28, 2022
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Pastthe peak?Whynow<br />
is thetimeto boost<br />
As bordersopen and restrictions on movements and activities<br />
ease, it is moreimportant nowthan evertobeuptodatewith<br />
your COVID-19 vaccinations. Here, Dr Helen Skinner,ECC<br />
Incident Controller with <strong>Canterbury</strong> DHB, shares why it is upping<br />
the ante on its boostervaccination programme.<br />
By now, we all know someone who has<br />
succumbed to COVID-19. Perhaps you’ve had<br />
COVID-19 yourself?<br />
Forthe lucky few, somemild symptoms and a<br />
bit ofwearinessmight be all thatisexperienced.<br />
But from whatI've seen, morepeople are<br />
suffering some pretty severeeffects,many of<br />
which aregoing on forweeks.<br />
Fortunately, many of us were fully vaccinated<br />
and boosted when the Omicron peak hit<br />
<strong>Canterbury</strong>.Ican’t stateenough justwhata<br />
difference that hasmade. People who areatthe<br />
peak oftheir immunity respond much better to<br />
the virus,and recovermorequickly.<br />
Right now,morethan 90,000 people in<br />
<strong>Canterbury</strong> aredue fortheir booster.That’s<br />
why we’reuppingthe ante this month and<br />
reminding people of theimportance of abooster<br />
vaccination.<br />
Winter is fast approaching,and with it, more<br />
time inside -aneven better environment for<br />
spreading COVID-19. Add to this the likelihood<br />
of amuchmoresevere flu season that<br />
we have seenfor years,and the risk this<br />
winter is high.<br />
Getting boostedisthe bestway to<br />
fight Omicron<br />
After awhile, your protectionagainst the<br />
COVID-19 virus starts to drop away.The booster<br />
dose gives youthe added protection youneed<br />
againstOmicron. It increases your immunity<br />
substantially and it reduces the chance of you<br />
sharing it with friends and whānau if youdoget<br />
COVID-19.<br />
If youare 18 or over, and it’s been three<br />
months since your second vaccination, then<br />
you’re duefor your booster.<br />
The greatnewsrecently is that16and 17 year<br />
olds arenow also eligible forboosters. Rangatahi<br />
in this agegroup need to wait sixmonths after<br />
finishing their COVID-19 vaccinations.<br />
Have youhad COVID-19 already?<br />
I’m often hearing from people asking whether,<br />
having had the virus,they still need abooster.<br />
Unfortunately, even if you’vehad COVID-19, you<br />
can getitagain. And, while youget some natural<br />
immunity through having the virus,itdoesn’t<br />
last. So,boostersmatter.You need to wait three<br />
months since having COVID-19 though.<br />
It’s heartening to see thatmostofAotearoa<br />
has now reached the peak of daily COVID-19<br />
cases,but that doesn’t mean the risk has gone.<br />
COVID-19 is going to be<br />
around foralong time,<br />
which is why nowisthe<br />
time to protect yourself<br />
and your whānau –and<br />
the sooner,the better.<br />
Thereare plenty<br />
places youcan get<br />
yourfree booster.Find<br />
your nearestone at<br />
Boost<strong>Canterbury</strong>.nz Dr Helen Skinner<br />
BOOST CANTERBURY<br />
Getting boosted is the bestway to fight Omicron<br />
Join us at avaccination event<br />
near you:<br />
Do Ireally need abooster?<br />
Getting your booster makes<br />
it less likely you’llget really<br />
sick with COVID-19,orpass it on.<br />
It is the bestthing youcan do to<br />
protectyou and your whānau.<br />
When do Ineed to<br />
have my booster?<br />
If you are18or<br />
over and had your<br />
second dose at least<br />
3monthsago,it’s<br />
time to getyourfree<br />
booster vaccine.<br />
I’vehad COVID-19.<br />
Do Ineed to get<br />
boosted?<br />
Yup, because you<br />
can get COVID-19<br />
again! Boostershelp<br />
protectyou from future<br />
infections.<br />
RehuaMarae<br />
79 Springfield Road, St Albans<br />
Tuesdays, 3–7pm<br />
<strong>North</strong>New Brighton Community Centre<br />
88 Marine Parade<br />
Friday 29 <strong>April</strong>, 2–6pm<br />
Saturday 30 <strong>April</strong>,11am–4pm<br />
I’m vaccinated. WhydoI<br />
need aboostertoo?<br />
After awhile, your protection<br />
againstthe COVID-19 virus<br />
startstodropaway. The<br />
boosterdose gives you<br />
added protectionagainst<br />
Omicron.<br />
How old do Ineed to be?<br />
16 and 17 year olds are<br />
now eligible forboosterstoo.<br />
Foryou,itneeds to be at<br />
least6monthssince your<br />
second dose.<br />
How long after<br />
infection should Iwait?<br />
You’ll usually need to<br />
wait 3monthsbefore<br />
getting any COVID-19<br />
vaccinationorbooster.<br />
Christchurch Netball Centre<br />
455 Hagley Avenue<br />
Saturday 30 <strong>April</strong>, 10am–3pm<br />
SelwynFijian Community -Rolleston<br />
CommunityCentre<br />
94 RollestonDrive, Rolleston<br />
Sunday1May, 12-4pm<br />
Getting your booster? Tamariki aged 5to11can gettheir<br />
COVID-19 immunisations with you, at mostclinics.<br />
No appointment needed.<br />
Find out moreatBoost<strong>Canterbury</strong>.nz<br />
CDHB27Apr22 BC
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