News

Bay of Plenty COVID-19 vaccine drive-throughs continue

18 March 2022

Boosters are ‘safe and easy to get this weekend’ in the Bay of Plenty, according to the district health board.

The regional drive-through series continues this weekend with events in Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa, Te Puke and Kawerau.

“Drive-throughs are easy, safe and comfortable, and our vaccination teams will put you at ease. We’re doing everything we can to encourage people to get their third dose,” explains Bay of Plenty District Health Board senior responsible officer – COVID-19 Programme Brent Gilbert-De Rios.

Drive-through vaccination events on Saturday are in Te Puke’s Rangiuru Rugby Clubrooms in partnership with Poutiri Trust and the Pacific Island Community (Tauranga) Trust, Kawerau’s Ron Hardie Recreation Centre, and Te Manu Toroa is standing up a drive-through at the Arataki Community Centre. Sunday’s events are at the Mount Sports Centre in Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, and at Te Manu Toroa’s Te Akau Hauora in Pāpāmoa. All events are from 10 am to 3 pm.

“There are more than 53,000 people eligible for their third dose in the Bay who have not yet got it done, and yet COVID-19 continues to impact our communities, whānau and health system,” says Gilbert-De Rios.

“The science is clear – you’re far less likely to get really sick or need to go to hospital with COVID-19.”

“So give that whānau member, friend, neighbour or workmate the nudge to get it done,” asks Gilbert-De Rios.

The district health board says all events offer first and second doses for everyone aged five and older, and third doses for everyone aged 18 and older who had their second dose at least three months ago.

Te Puke COVID-19 vaccination drive-through
Rangiuru Rugby Clubroooms, corner of Jellicoe Street & No 3 Road
Saturday 19 March, 10 am–3 pm
Event by: Poutiri Trust, the Pacific Island Community (Tauranga) Trust and the Bay of Plenty District Health Board

Arataki COVID-19 vaccination drive-through
Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way
Saturday 19 March, 10 am–3 pm
Event by: Te Manu Toroa

Kawerau COVID-19 vaccination drive-through
Ron Hardie Recreation Centre, 111 Onslow Street
Saturday 19 March, 10 am–3 pm
Event by: Kawerau Community Collective and Bay of Plenty District Health Board

Pāpāmoa COVID-19 vaccination drive-through
Te Akau Hauora, 35E Hartford Avenue
Sunday 20 March, 10 am–3 pm
Event by: Te Manu Toroa

Mount Maunganui COVID-19 vaccination drive-through
Mount Sports Centre, Blake Park, Maunganui Road
Sunday 20 March, 10 am–3 pm