A number of pop-up events will be taking place across Auckland this weekend where vaccinations will be on offer, both COVID and flu for those eligible. These include:
- Pasefika Market Vax Event, Fri 24 Jun, 8am-4:30pm, Browns Road, Community Centre
- Cook Island Vax Event, Sat 25 Jun, 8am-4:30pm, LDS Church, 33 Robertson Road, Māngere
- Velodrome Vaccination Event, Sat 25 Jun, 9am-3:30pm, Manukau
- Māngere Town Centre Car Park (Orly Road), Sat 25 Jun, 9am-4pm, Orly Road, Māngere
- Samoa Vax Event, Sat 25 Jun, 9am-3pm, Stake Centre, 71 Lincoln Park Road, Massey
We’re also proud to support Matariki ki te Ao being held on Sat 26 June, 6am-9pm, David Lange Park, Bader Drive, Mangere.
These general practices and pharmacies are open and providing additional free care and medications this weekend.
Over 1,400 people accessed free GP care and hundreds more took advantage of free pain relief for children at pharmacies across Counties Manukau last weekend, prompting more health providers to step in and help this Matariki weekend.
Around 30 general practices and 100 pharmacies in the Counties Manukau region are participating in the initiatives aimed at taking some of the pressure off Middlemore Hospital’s emergency department, which has seen a record number of presentations for winter illnesses.
Counties Manukau Chief Executive Dr Pete Watson says the impact of the initiatives will continue to be monitored over the coming long weekend.
“Some GPs have reported they managed to see patients who would not have come in if there was a cost. This demonstrates the need out there at the moment and also means that some of these people are now able to get care before their condition worsens and they end up in hospital.”
People are also being encouraged to call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for information or advice on how to manage cold or flu symptoms. Healthline is free, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has interpreters available. Anyone wanting health advice can contact Healthline and get the support they need and information about what to do, including self-care advice.
Dr Watson added that prevention was also a key point for people to think about heading into the long weekend.
