The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is urging Southerners who haven’t yet had their booster shot to get it now for the best chance of it being effective when Omicron arrives in the local community.

In the most recent update yesterday (Thursday January 27) there were 90 cases of Omicron in New Zealand and the government warned there could be tens of thousands of cases per day.

“It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection against COVID-19, so the time to act is now,” SDHB public officer for health Dr Susan Jack said.

“Getting the booster vaccination is our best defence against Omicron. It protects people against serious illness and decreases the need for hospitalisation and ICU care.”

Individuals can get their booster shot four months after receiving their second vaccination dose.

Book your booster online here.

“It is incredibly encouraging to see such strong demand for booster doses across the Southern district – approximately 65 percent of people who are currently eligible have received their four-month booster,” SDHB Covid-19 vaccine rollout programme lead Karl Metzler said. 

“However, we also know that there are a large number of people who have not yet taken up the opportunity.”

To date, 84,914 Southerners have received their booster out of a possible 135,326 who are currently due. 

Providers are adding additional capacity across the district, Karl said, and pop-up clinics will be provided on an as-needed basis.

“With the move to the Red setting in the traffic light system, and with Omicron already present in some communities around New Zealand, it is more important than ever that you and your whānau have a plan if you or someone you care for gets sick, you need to isolate, or you have to go into hospital,” Karl said.

Find advice on how to prepare here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App