If you want to know the traffic light setting for a specific area then use this link. https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/traffic-lights-map/

In this edition of Straight Up with Dr Lily Fraser, tamariki share what's on their minds about COVID-19 and the vaccine

With COVID-19 in the community, it is possible someone in your household might become ill with COVID. Find out a few tips for understanding what that means and how to prepare your family/whānau.

This online event was held on Thursday 27 January  moderated by journalist by journalist Mihingarangi Forbes discussing COVID-19 immunisation for 5-11 year olds.

Don’t forget, you can also find a variety of resources, learn from the experts and get answers to frequently asked questions regarding 5 to 11-year old COVID-19 immunisations here: 

You can find a wide variety of COVID-19 information in 27 languages and 4 alternate formats on the Unite Against COVID-19 website. Key information includes:

• COVID-19 Our Isolation Plan
• Getting your booster dose
• Protecting your tamariki from COVID-19
• Wearing a face mask
• Testing
• Support for if you get COVID-19
• Support for individuals and families

• We will continue to update our translated information as the situation develops.

• Examples of the resources we have available are below, these can be downloaded through our online platform, Toolkit (COVID-19 Resource Toolkit (covid19.govt.nz). These have also been translated into 27 languages, which can be found here.

A new team has been established within the COVID vaccination healthline, in response to feedback from the disability sector on barriers to accessing vaccination information and booking support.

In its first two weeks, the 30-strong team has supported more than 440 disabled people.

“As part of our plan to give every eligible person the opportunity to get vaccinated by the end of the year, we are ensuring it is both easy and accessible for everyone, including disabled people,” COVID response minister Chris Hipkins said.

To access the team, people can call the free COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26, between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and ‘push 2’ to speak to the team.

The team is made up of dedicated advisors who are either living with disability themselves, have close whānau living with disability or, in a few cases, have extensive experience working with members of the disability community. Advisors work from home across Aotearoa, and recruitment is underway to further expand the workforce.

The team support disabled people and their carers to get information about the vaccine, make bookings (including support identifying suitable sites or liaising with sites to ensure that needs can be met), and supporting transport needs. Transport has been one of the things that has been identified as a barrier to vaccination for many disabled people.

In the first week examples of support being arranged included ensuring sites have mobility assistance in place, arranging NZ Sign Language interpreters, rearranging transport options after initial transport options became unavailable, 1737 counsellors being arranged to support people with anxiety, and other tailored solutions developed for people in conjunction with District Health Boards.

The team is able to support all those that identify as having a disability including: 

• Deaf and hard of hearing

• Blind and low vision

• Physically disability

• Intellectually disability

• Neuro diverse

• Long term health conditions.

• The pathway is a collaboration between WorkBridge, Capital and Coast DHB, and Whakarongorau Aotearoa – New Zealand Telehealth Services.

If you missed the highly informative sessions on the 29th August and September 8th you can watch the recording and access links to additional resources

For more information on the Covid Vaccination, click here

• The framework has three levels: Green, Orange and Red: 

  • Green is when there could be some COVID-19 in the community but at low levels. At Green, fully vaccinated people can enjoy all events, hospitality and gatherings by showing a vaccination certificate.

  • Orange is when there is increasing community transmission with increasing pressure on the health system. At Orange, everything remains open for people with vaccination certificates. 

  • Red is when the virus is spreading in a way that means there’s a need to take action to protect vulnerable people in a community and prevent pressure on the health system. At Red, there will be additional restrictions, but these will be greater for people without a vaccination certificate.

• Businesses that provide services only to vaccinated people can operate at every level of the new framework and without any restrictions at Green and Orange.

Here are a number of videos where experts answer questions about the vaccine: 

• Nigel Latta, Dr Maia Brewerton and Dr Helen Petousis-Harris recently answered vaccine questions in a Facebook live event with the support of a sign language interpreter (60:02).  

• Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Dr Nikki Turner, Dr Siouxsie Wiles and Dr Vanisi Prescott recently answered vaccine questions in a Facebook live event. (56:43)

• Mihingarangi Forbes sat down with Dr Hinemoa Elder to discuss some key concerns and hesitancies (59:00)  

• On Te Ao with Moana COVID-19 Vax Q&A (25:11) Dr Anthony Jordan, Dr Papaarangi Reid, Dr Rawiri McKree-Jansen, Dr Maia Brewerton - specialists & activists in Māori public health, clinical immunology, allergies, immunopathology & medicine take phone calls from the Public about COVID and the vaccine.

• Clinical psychologist Rachel Prebble talks about vaccine hesitancy (1:10) and has some ideas for starting a conversations (2:15) with friends and whanau.      

• A fun and informative item on the Hahana Facebook page with answers to lots of vaccine questions: (11:43)

• AUT’s Professor Steve Henry, a biological engineer currently working in the field of COVID-19 immunity, considers Should I get vaccinated? (39:03)

• A rangatahi panel with Dr Jason Tuhoe, to kōrero about the vaccine from different perspectives (vaccinated, vaccine hesitant, wants to be vaccinated but whānau pressure not to): Waatea News on Te Puni Kokiri Facebook page (60:01)

• Here’s a discussion between four health professionals where they share their thoughts, knowledge and experiences of the COVID vaccine in Straight Up with Dr. Lily Fraser - The Panel (3:53)

• Learn about the COVID-19 pandemic, getting vaccinated, and what the future holds for Aotearoa New Zealand. Watch a series of seven NZ Vaccine Facts videos (with one more coming soon). 

Here are some recent articles about the vaccine: 

• Why some people struggle to change their minds about vaccination is a video and article in The Whole Truth series on Stuff.

• In a recent article in the Herald, Seven experts' opinion: Almost every eligible New Zealander can safely receive Pfizer vaccine

• Talking to vaccine hesitant people - an article on the World Health Organization website, also available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish. 

• A recent article in The Herald, where University of Auckland vaccinologist Associate Professor Helen Petousis-Harris looks at 10 vaccine myths circulating on social media

Face coverings are unsuitable for some people due to a disability or health condition. An exemption card has been developed that you can show when entering shops and other premises. 

Exemption cards can be requested from the Disabled Persons Assembly NZ by contacting them on 04 801 9100 or emailing them at info@dpa.org.nz.