Coronavirus: Labour Day New Zealand's lowest day for vaccinations in months

Labour Day marked one of New Zealand's lowest days for COVID-19 vaccinations since mid-July, as the country eyes the 90 percent target of double doses.

Just 10,660 total vaccines were administered on Monday - 3492 first doses and 7168 second doses. This is compared to 18,985 total vaccines on Sunday and 42,482 on Saturday.

Three district health boards (DHBs) have surpassed the 90 percent target for first doses - Waitematā, Auckland, and Capital and Coast - but none have reached it yet for second doses. Once all 20 DHBs have fully vaccinated 90 percent of eligible residents, then all of New Zealand moves away from the alert level system to a 'traffic light' strategy that utilises vaccine uptakes.

Auckland, however, will be able to move to the 'red light' zone once all three of its DHBs hit 90 percent double doses.

Aside from the day New Zealand went into lockdown in August, Monday marked the country's lowest days for vaccinations since mid-July.
Aside from the day New Zealand went into lockdown in August, Monday marked the country's lowest days for vaccinations since mid-July. Photo credit: Ministry of Health

Counties Manukau, which is lagging slightly behind other Auckland DHBs, still needs 11,020 people to get their first jab to reach 90 percent first doses. It did about 700 first doses on Monday.

Waitematā DHB has fully vaccinated 77 percent of its residents and is 70,253 second doses away from hitting 90 percent. Auckland DHB is slightly higher, with 81 percent of people fully vaccinated with 37,931 second doses still needed.

Five DHBs haven't given more than 80 percent of residents their first dose yet. They are Tairāwhiti (76 percent first doses), Northland (78 percent), Lakes (79 percent), Whanganui (79 percent), and West Coast (79 percent).

Seventy-nine new community cases were reported on Tuesday. Four of these are in Waikato and the remaining 75 are in Auckland.