If you are not fully vaccinated already, now is the time to get it done.
Covid is not going away in Aotearoa. Anyone who is not vaccinated is likely to encounter Covid in the next few months - it really is that simple.
Why?
While getting vaccinated won't guarantee you won't get Covid, you will be:
- twenty times less likely to get seriously ill from Covid if you are vaccinated and
- a hundred times less likely to die from Covid if you are vaccinated.
We know this, both from overseas and from the latest Auckland outbreak:
We need to protect our children and vulnerable people. They either cannot get vaccinated, or the vaccine won’t work as well for them. The rest of us need to get vaccinated to protect them from the spread of Covid and prevent our hospitals becoming overloaded.
Our health system is trying to prepare for 5,000 plus likely Covid cases every week, but we simply do not have enough intensive care beds and staff to cope, That means seriously ill Covid patients may not be able to get the treatment they need to save their lives. This is already happening overseas and is killing non-Covid patients as well.
Border workers, health and education have had to get vaccinated or lose their jobs. Now it is hospitality and some other workers who will have to choose between their jobs and being vaccinated by December 3rd.
There is also a long list of restrictions (growing longer every day) that unvaccinated people will face under the new traffic light system - from future employment, entertainment, hospitality, education, shopping, sports and social activities. Click here for the latest updated info on these restrictions.
Who says?
This isn't just the government telling us what to do - these people all want us to get vaccinated as well:
Over 5,000 New Zealand doctors
More than 1,700 nurses
Māori leaders across the country
Pasifika leaders
Church leaders
All politicians from every single party in parliament
The All Blacks and the Black Ferns
The Warriors
Kiwi artists and performers
Unite Organiser Jess has written her story about getting vaccinated - she represents Unite on Komiti Pasefika (her mum is Samoan).
Got questions about the vaccination?
- How was the vaccine created so quickly?
- Is it safe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Can the vaccine affect fertility?
- Is it safe if you have a health condition?
- Is it safe for children?
- Can I get the vaccine if I am sick?
- Will the vaccine protect me from COVID-19?
- What can I expect when I get the vaccine?
If you need more information on vaccination there is video information online here and written information in 38 different languages here.
Where can I get vaccinated?
The full list for Aotearoa is here or you can talk to your doctor or local pharmacy.
Submitted by
Unite Union
Written 14/10/2021