Health & wellbeing  |  13 Oct 2021

With summer just eight weeks away we need Cantabrians who haven’t already received their COVID-19 vaccinations to get them now, so we can enjoy everything a classic Kiwi summer has to offer.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Christchurch City Councillors give the thumbs up to the nationwide effort to get people vaccinated against COVID-19.

That's the message from Dr Helen Skinner, Senior Responsible Officer for Canterbury’s COVID-19 response.

"Approximately 82 percent of our eligible enrolled Canterbury population is now either fully vaccinated, has had a single dose or is booked to receive their vaccination – and it’s never been easier for the rest to get a vaccination with Super Saturday coming to Canterbury.

"Our region is gearing up for a big day of COVID-19 vaccinations this Saturday 16 October. The DHB is bolstering vaccination capacity across the region - including extra staff being brought on board - with the aim of making vaccinations as accessible as possible for those dropping in.

"There will be a number of ways people can receive their vaccinations. These include community events and extended hours drop-in vaccination clinics across our region, throughout the day.

"We’ll be turning up the music and dishing out free kai for those coming along to our drive-through vaccination clinic at the Christchurch Arena, to create a festival-like atmosphere for people to enjoy. We’re extending the clinic’s hours as well, to 9am-7.30pm on Saturday.

"We’re also hosting a community vaccination and information clinic at Ki te Tihi Hapori Hauora in Eastgate Mall from 10am-4pm. There will be a bouncy castle for kids, free sausage sizzle and vouchers and prizes on offer from the mall’s businesses."

The Etu Pasifika Vaccination Centre in Montreal Street will be open for drop-ins and drive-through vaccinations on Saturday between 9am-4pm. People attending will have the opportunity to speak directly to Pasifika clinicians about COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae vaccination clinic is also open from 9am-4pm for drop-ins and will have free kai on hand from Anton Matthews’ Fush team once again.

Mayors get behind Super Saturday

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum is throwing its weight behind Super Saturday, encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.

“We want our whānau and communities to be in a position to be able to make the most of the upcoming season and what our magnificent Canterbury region, and the rest of New Zealand has on offer to enjoy,’’ says the Chair of the Forum, Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and many of the Christchurch City Councillors have also voiced their support for Super Saturday, using social media to urge people to take the opportunity to get vaccinated.

The Mayor and all the Councillors are either fully vaccinated or have received their first dose of the vaccine.