Rotorua’s most recognisable Duck has been recruited to help vaccination efforts in Western Heights so whānau can have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and summer break.
The Don’t Duck the Vax event sees the amphibious WWII landing craft, the Duck, cruise around Western Heights, giving whānau who wave it down a free ride to the pop-up vaccination clinic on Leslie Ave.
The event will have free sausage sizzles and ice cream, mean beats, and a lucky dip while whānau receive their first or second dose.
The Vax Vegas team will also be on site to support people and provide epic giveaways for those being vaccinated.
The twilight event, running from 4pm to 7.30pm tomorrow, is a collaborative effort of Te Arawa COVID Hub partners and Rotorua Duck Tours.
Lakes DHB Te Arawa Collective Outreach Co-ordinator Yvonne Rogers says Don’t Duck the Vax is about having a good time, removing barriers for whānau and protecting the community.
“Don’t Duck the Vax makes getting your vaccination as simple as stepping out your front door and waving the Duck down.
“Nearly 85,000 people (90 per cent) in Rotorua and Taupō have received at least one dose, meaning our whānau have done an incredible job of rolling up their sleeves to protect their loved ones and the wider community.
“But we are not about to stop at 90 per cent – we will keep working to reach every single person we can so everyone has the best level of protection as Aotearoa settles into the new minimisation phase.”
Ms Rogers says staff on board the Duck and at Leslie Ave will also be able to answer any patai about COVID-19 and the vaccine.
“We continue to combat the misinformation and scaremongering that is affecting some of our most vulnerable people and encourage anyone who is unsure about the vaccine to come along and get your patai answered by our qualified nurses and doctors.”
Anyone who would like to get vaccinated but is unable to during the Don’t Duck the Vax event, you are welcome to head to the Te Arawa Drive Through Vaccination Clinic on Clayton Road, which is running this Sunday to Wednesday, with its last clinic for the year on Thursday 16 December.
Alternatively, check out www.healthpoint.co.nz for a list of vaccination clinics operating over the summer break.