Some 27,000 people in New Zealand had their first Covid-19 vaccination shot, with 60 percent of those in Auckland, officials say, as the ministry reports three new cases in MIQ.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says that was the figure as of midnight last night. Some MIQ workers have received their second vaccination.
"We're making good progress on the rest of group one, while we're beginning to start the process of moving into group two," he says.
"It's a good solid start to the countries biggest ever vaccination program ... vaccine deliveries will make New Zealand a safer place to live."
More than 1100 vaccinators have finished their training so far and more than 5000 people have registered their interest to become qualified to be part of the vaccine programme.
"It's a good, solid start."
He said the Government was working on a sustainable delivery programme.
All New Zealanders were asked to get vaccinated, Hipkins said, but he reiterated that it would not be mandatory.
MIQ head Brigadier Jim Bliss says the second round of immunisations for border and MIQ workers is under way.
Bliss says every day they go to work "they put themselves between us and the virus".
He says about 9600 NZDF uniforms personnel will be vaccinated - already 600 have had their first dose.
It is important for them to get the vaccination, he says, to add another layer of protection for them, their families and all New Zealanders.
Bliss was one of those who has had a second vaccination, Hipkins says.
"This is a challenging environment to work in," Hipkins says, "many of them are feeling a bit of a stigma associated with the work that they're doing at the moment and they continue to go to work every day and do it on our behalf.
"Some of that stress that they're feeling will be a mental stress because of that and we can all do something as a country about that, by giving those workers a bit of a break and making sure that we're all thanking them for the work that they're doing."
Hipkins said the Government's target was getting "as many people vaccinated as possible" and ensuring people were coming forward to receive the jab.
"There will be a lot of demand at the end of the year," he said.
He said the Government would be administering "more than" 20,000 vaccines a day, when the general rollout comes.
The Government had a good allocation until June, and from July it was expecting a lot more vaccines.
On publicity campaigns, Hipkins said they started this weekend and would increase in the coming weeks and months.
He said GPs would be given the most up-to-date information so they can help counter any misinformation.
He said the number of people saying no to a vaccine so far was "very small".
He said that number was in the "early double digits" - but he couldn't say exactly how many.
Hipkins said no sportspeople had been given the vaccine yet - but he is taking a cabinet paper on this soon.
The 1pm briefing came after Director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield briefed MPs at the health select committee this morning.
He said he was "confident and can reassure New Zealanders" that the workforce to administer the Covid vaccine rollout will be ready.
The Government's vaccine safety campaign, he said, had a "soft launch" this weekend and would be ramped up soon.
He added that the Ministry of Health would "absolutely" approach the likes of All Blacks and other sports stars to help with the campaign.
The campaign would be focused on using "trusted" members of the public who can talk up the science and safety of the vaccines.
- additional reporting NZ Herald
