Media Release 
For immediate release 
21 October 2021

Mayor urges community to protect whānau

Kawerau is celebrating the success of Super Saturday but Mayor Malcolm Campbell is urging people to keep up the momentum. 
“It was good to see the number of people who came to get vaccinated on Super Saturday and to support their family members.”
Kawerau recorded 249 people who were vaccinated on Super Saturday 16 October. Of those, 165 received their first dose and the remainder were getting their second vaccination. 
“This turnout, gave Kawerau the highest daily percentage increase on Super Saturday throughout New Zealand which was helped along with the entertainment kai for those who were vaccinated.” 
“Even after this turnout and a great week where we had 700 vaccinations in total, Kawerau still has a lot of work to do before our community is protected against COVID-19,” Mayor Malcolm Campbell said. 
In addition, the district has had both Mercury and Tūwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai come to the party offering prizes to the combined value of $12,500 for a prize draw. Everyone who is vaccinated between the Super Saturdays is eligible to win a prize. 
“There have been some barriers to access for vaccination and we trust that having consecutive Super Saturdays will help push up our numbers.” 
Currently, after three further vaccination clinics this week, the district is now 45.7% fully vaccinated and a further 19.9% have received one dose. 
This means that there is still just over a quarter of the Kawerau community who are eligible for vaccination that are unvaccinated.
Council is working with the BOP District Health Board to promote the public vaccination clinics.  These public walk-in clinics are being bolstered by mobile clinics visiting Kawerau industries with large workforces. 
Mercury has also got on board with the overall promotion to lift vaccination rates up to the 90% target set by the government. Mercury has pledged that the higher the vaccination rates the district achieves, the more money it will distribute to community groups including the Order of St John, Kawerau Health Shuttle and junior sports. 
Mayor Campbell urges people if they have concerns or questions to contact a health expert such as their nurse or doctor or to visit the government’s covid19.nz website.
This Saturday, the BOPDHB team will be at the Town Hall from 9am until 3pm at a walk-in clinic. Kai and entertainment will again be available, along with the entry to the mystery prize draw for those who are being vaccinated. 

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For more information, please contact Kawerau District Council Communications and Engagement Manager Tania Humberstone on 027 464 3785.