The Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation supports healthy lifestyles and quality health care services in our local communities. We provide funding to more than 30 general practices in the Bay of Plenty.
WELCOME TO THE WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY PRIMARY HEALTH ORGANISATION
URU MAI KI TE KOKORU URU O TE NUI PHO
Coronavirus Alert
COVID-19 PROTECTION FRAMEWORK
As of Monday 12 September, at 11.59pm, the COVID-19 traffic light system has been removed.
The government has announced that high vaccination rates, as well as a reduction of case numbers and access to anti-viral medication mean we are able to safely move forward without the traffic light system in place.
The update includes:
- No more mandatory mask wearing, unless in health or residential aged care facilities.
- Government vaccination mandates to end on September 26.
- No vaccination requirements for travellers or air crew coming into New Zealand.
- Positive COVID-19 cases must isolate for 7 days; however household contacts no longer need to isolate.
Learn more about mask requirements here.
Find out what to do if you test positive here.
Find out more about preparing to travel to New Zealand here.
Learn more about COVID-19 anti-viral medication here.
Find out more about the next phase of the COVID-19 response here.
COVID-19 TESTING
Access to testing can be found here.
Order rapid antigen test (RAT) kits for home testing if you:
- have COVID-19 symptoms, or
- are a household contact.
People can request RATs:
- Via the new request RATS website
- Free calling 0800 222 478 option 3
People eligible for RATs for home testing will be issued an order number. They can then pick up their RAT order from a collection site listed on Healthpoint.
Caring for COVID-positive people in the community
Health Navigator features a range of COVID-19 resources to support people and their whānau who are self-isolating.
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
The vaccine is available to everyone in New Zealand aged five and over. Boosters are recommended for everyone over the age of 18 who had their second dose of the vaccine at least three months before. Sixteen and 17-year-olds can get a Pfizer booster six months after their second dose. Second boosters are available for at-risk groups.
Remember:
- Vaccinations are completely free and are one of the most powerful tools against COVID-19, including both the Delta and Omicron variants of the virus.
- Reserve your spot today at www.bookmyvaccine.nz and if you have questions or need help booking, call the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline 0800 28 29 26.
Other ways you can help you and your whānau keep safe:
- Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds often, then dry them. This kills the virus by bursting its protective bubble.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow. This will keep the virus off your hands so you won’t spread it to other people and make them sick too.
- Clean surfaces. It’s still important that we stay vigilant with cleaning.
- Staying at home if you are sick is still the best thing you can do to stop any future spread of COVID-19.
Background
Since February 2020, New Zealand has had more than 1.75 million reported cases and 1,915 coronavirus-related deaths.
Coronaviruses are a large and diverse family of viruses that include the common cold. Symptoms include fever, a sore throat, coughing, a fever and difficulty breathing.
COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and since then has infected 610 million people worldwide and killed 6.52 million (as at 15 September 2022). The World Health Organisation has declared it a global pandemic. The number of vaccine doses administered so far worldwide is 12.7 billion.
For more information about COVID-19 visit the following health sites:
For COVID-19 health advice call Healthline – 0800 358 5453 anytime.
Measles Vaccine Update
There have been no confirmed cases of measles in the Bay of Plenty since 1 January 2020, however gaps still remain in our communities’ protection against measles.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunisation is available from your family doctor or practice nurse if you or your child need to be immunised – it’s never too late to catch up.
Alternatively, there are a number of pharmacies throughout the Bay of Plenty offering free MMR immunisation for people aged 16 to 49. For a detailed list visit the Bay of Plenty District Health Board measles resource page.
The Government has announced a new immunisation programme that will see 15 to 29-year-olds (a group with low immunisation rates) receive a free MMR vaccine via places such as schools and marae. More than 350,000 additional MMR vaccines are earmarked for the campaign.
For more information about measles visit the Ministry of Health website.
IT IS IMPORTANT IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE MEASLES SYMPTOMS THAT YOU CALL YOUR GP RATHER THAN ATTEND IN PERSON.
FIND OUT MORE
Enrol with us now to save money on visits to your family doctor.
Western Bay of Plenty PHO is committed to achieving equity of health outcomes for Māori.
