New Zealand’s largest drive-through vaccination centre has been launched in South Auckland but is "invitation only".
The centre at the Park and Ride site at Auckland airport will be able to vaccinate up to 2,000 people per day, with the potential to increase over the coming week.
Invitations will be sent in a phased approach over the coming days to essential workers as well as those who were unable to attend their appointments during the move to alert level 4 and who have not yet rebooked, the Northern Region Health Coordination Centre (NRHCC) said in a statement Sunday.
“The drive-through centre will be by appointment only, so we ask that people who haven’t received an invitation yet to stay at home and follow the alert level guidelines, said NRHCC programme director Matt Hannant.
“It’s really important that we can prioritise our essential workers, such as supermarket workers and bus drivers, who are helping to keep important services open during alert level 4.”
Key Facts
- The site will run from 8.30am to 4.30pm for an initial period of seven days.
- People will need to attend in a car or similar vehicle. The drive-through is not suitable for motorbikes or trucks or people on foot.
- People will be asked to come with their whānau/bubble aged 12 and over in car loads of 2 to 4 people. People need to bring at least one other person and won't be able to attend by themselves. Younger children can also attend but they won't be able to be vaccinated.
- People will receive their vaccination while seated in the car. Anyone receiving a vaccination will need to sit by the car door and be vaccinated in the arm that is closest to the door. They will then be asked to drive through to the observation area and a staff member will let them know when they can leave.
