Churches, sports groups, Pasifika communities and youth groups held Covid Vaccination events across Auckland over the weekend, encouraging everyone to get vaxxed for Christmas. It was the last weekend people could have their first vax and still have the necessary three-week period between doses before Christmas. Many vax centres were in South Auckland, where 90 Read more
Was anyone surprised when New Zealand’s self-made Apostle Brian Tamaki courted controversy and arrest by participating in two anti-lockdown protests in Auckland recently? Or that during one of these events he declared he would rather live in “dangerous freedom than peaceful slavery” and likened the director-general of health to Hitler? This was, after all, the Read more
Churches are considering a number of contingency plans while they weigh up if they will re-open only to vaccinated people when the traffic light system kicks in. Last month the government announced details of its Covid-19 Protection Framework, involving the roll-out of a ‘traffic-light’ system once all DHBs hit 90 percent full vaccination rates. Under Read more
In the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the scientific evidence in favour of vaccination is overwhelming. With this in mind, there are many people who see universal vaccination as the only way to bring the pandemic to an end, often invoking the mantra of “follow the science.” As a slogan it would seem to have Read more
Worries that the COVID-19 vaccine could cause infertility are among the reasons people give for avoiding vaccination. While there’s no evidence any of the COVID-19 vaccines cause problems with fertility, becoming severely ill from the disease has the potential to do so, reproduction experts say, making vaccination all the more important. “There is evidence to Read more
Church leaders across the country are facing a vax dilemma regarding unvaccinated church members. What do they do about having them in their congregations? It’s a question many are considering. The conversation around mandatory vaccinations is heating up. Last week, the Government announced digital vaccination certificates, which should be introduced by November. They will be Read more
Auckland’s move to alert level 3 has also triggered speculation about whether the national Covid-19 elimination strategy has failed or is even being abandoned. While the government denies it, others clearly believe it is at least a possibility. The uncertainty is troubling. If elimination fails or is abandoned, it would suggest we have not learnt Read more