Clinical Director for Etu Pasifika Christchurch, Dr Monica Nua George worked at both drives and felt that the clinical team had achieved their purpose and aim.

“Our aim with community vaccinations is to be more accessible but to also engage in a different environment with families. These events are a fun way to get to know our community and allow an entire family to get vaccinated together.”

She says it was important to have a safe space for families to be vaccinated together while feeling supported by the staff as sometimes a clinical setting can be intimidating for some Pacific families.

Mother of five, Lisi Nuu Tali, attended the event so she and her children colud get immunised for the flu as an extra precaution, with the Covid-19 pandemic regulations wearing off in New Zealand.

“All six of us got the flu jab for extra immunity after the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”

Several others who attended the vaccination event also got their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination to protect themselves and their families in the Pacific as they were looking to travel to the islands.

Tama Colati recalls receiving her last MMR vaccine as a child; she had seen the promotion online and attended the community event to get reassurance and advice from Clinical Staff onsite about being vaccinated.

“I saw that the MMR vaccine was available and I hadn’t had one since I was a child 50 years ago so that led me here to get one.”

Etu Pasifika Christchurch had a number of staff working both events but also had support from some of their partners and close relations in the community, working towards the same purpose of serving Pacific families.

“We had a great team dynamic for our staff on both days at both drives but having our partners come down and help was a huge contribution to the success. It’s really great for all the organisations who serve with the same purpose to come together to show unity and gain a bigger outreach.”

Date: Tuesday 18 October 2022

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