Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this afternoon announced that this Saturday would be a televised ‘vaxathon’ which she hopes will set new records for kiwis receiving the Covid-19 vaccination.
There is capacity to perform 100,000 vaccinations in a day and has set that as a target for ‘Super Saturday.’ The previous best in August was 93,000 vaccines administered in a single day.
Super Saturday would be a “blast from the past,” with the vaxathon being televised on various TV channels. Arden said her goal is to make New Zealand one of the most vaccinated countries in the world. The event will include prizes and information from leading experts. Also there will be a competition between towns and regions to see who can achieve the biggest increase in vax numbers.
Currently, 82 per cent have received their first dose, while 58 per cent have had a second dose.
In Auckland, 87 per cent have had their first dose and 63 per cent their second dose.
On Super Saturday multiple providers will be open for longer hours to enable more jabs to be administered.
“Those are the records that we should try and beat this week,” said Ardern.
Director General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield advised that 40 new cases have been reported today in Auckland and 3 new cases in the Waikato.
