Auckland District Health Board has become the first DHB in the country to be 90 percent fully vaccinated.
A vaccination centre on Dominion Road in Auckland. Photo: 2021 Getty Images
The district health board reached the milestone this afternoon, according to the city's health authorities.
The city's two other DHBs are also nearing the target, with Waitematā at 87 percent double dose rates and Counties Manukau at 84 percent.
Waitematā DHB needs another 17,520 people to get their second dose to reach 90 percent, while Counties Manukau DHB needs a further 30,390 people to get their second dose.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said it was a "phenomenal achievement", with 381,562 people in Auckland DHB receiving both doses.
"I want to congratulate you all for your outstanding commitment towards making New Zealand a safer place for yourselves, your whānau and your communities," he said in a statement.
"I also acknowledge that Auckland has faced our greatest burden during this Delta outbreak and everyone across New Zealand owes a debt of gratitude to all Aucklanders for helping to keep us safe. Thank you."
Nine DHBs have now vaccinated at least 90 percent of their eligible population with their first doses, including the three Auckland DHBs, MidCentral, Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Canterbury and Southern.
Another four DHBs - Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Nelson Marlborough and South Canterbury - have reached 89 percent first doses and only need to vaccinate 4300 more people between them to hit 90 percent.
To reach 90 percent fully vaccinated across the country, another 317,148 people need to get their second doses - about 7.5 percent of the eligible population.
"I urge everyone who is yet to get vaccinated to please do so and for those of you yet to get your second dose, do it now if it is three weeks since your first dose. This is your best way of protecting yourself, your loved ones and your communities from COVID-19," Dr Bloomfield said.
Ka pai, e te whānau! Our Te Toka Tumai | Auckland DHB community is now 90% double vaccinated against COVID-19.
— Te Toka Tumai | Auckland DHB (@Akld_DHB) November 19, 2021
Haven’t had your first or second vaccination yet? Walk in or book a time at a vaccination centre near you. https://t.co/AOWAAhMdsR pic.twitter.com/7cc3ACYAXO
Northern Region Health Coordination Centre spokesperson Matt Hannant said the Auckland DHB's success was due to the "countless hours, good spirits and sustained efforts of all the community leaders, Māori and Pacific provider partners and GP, pharmacy and DHB staff".
"They've been out there at community events and on the streets with their mobile campervan clinics, doing everything from answering questions and providing vaccinations through to manning sausage sizzles.
"We really want to thank the community for stepping up to help protect themselves and their whānau."
Hannant said there was plenty of support is available for those who were still unsure about getting vaccinated.
"It's okay to still be feeling a bit unsure. We know that some people still have questions, so please come along to have a chat to one of our staff members, or speak with your trusted health professional.
"There are still lots of opportunities to get your first or second dose now, so that you can start using the new vaccine pass and make the most of your summer. We also have free taxis available for those that might have difficulty getting along to a clinic."
Earlier this morning only 755 more Māori from Auckland DHB needed to receive their first dose to reach 90 percent of Māori getting their first vaccination, while 75 of Māori percent are fully vaccinated in this DHB so far. Another 1035 more Pasifika from Auckland DHB needed to receive their first dose to reach 90 percent of Pasifika, and 78 percent are now fully vaccinated.
Of the 198 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, 152 of them were in Auckland.
The Ministry of Health says that in the past week there have been 112,511 community tests for Covid-19 received at labs across Auckland.
"This is an incredible effort - especially for all front line testing staff who are out in all weathers, and the laboratory teams who are working tirelessly to process these swabs," the ministry said in a statement.
