Pasifika COVID-19 vaccinations at campus
Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the University hosted COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the Hub at Kelburn Campus.
Published 28 September 2021
The clinics, organised by Mauri Ora and Tū Ora Compass Health, with support from VUWSA and other student representative groups, had a festival-like atmosphere—with bands, food, and activities provided throughout.
At Friday’s clinics, working with the Positively Pacific healthcare partnership and the Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika), the Pasifika Student Success team provided music and kai, and Pasifika people and their families from within and outside of the University were encouraged to attend.
Associate Professor Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika), praised the Pasifika community for coming out to be vaccinated on what was a sunny day at the Kelburn campus.
“It’s an absolute vibe. Today is Pacific day but we’ve opened it up to families and communities. The goal is to get everyone vaccinated. It’s lovely that it’s here and it humanises the University. A lot of people may come to the uni for the first time who are families, and they can see that we care—I use the words ‘Fia ola’—‘we want to live’.”
Tū Ora Compass Health clinical lead Joanna Fowler was pleased with the overall turnout for the event.
“We’re really impressed with how many people have been vaccinated at the University. We’ve had a few people come past that haven’t been sure about having their vaccine and we’ve been able to offer them an appointment to come on in.”
Student Yasmine Aqeli was in the Hub on Friday getting her first vaccine and was pleased with how easy it was.
“I think it’s great, it’s very accessible—for me especially. I don’t have time to do it after uni so for me this is very convenient. A lot of my friends who are students have been vaccinated, and one of my younger sisters is also a student here and she’s going to get hers tomorrow.”
Associate Director of Mauri Ora (Student Health and Counselling) Kevin Rowlatt deemed the three-day event a success.
“The collaboration between students and staff working alongside Mauri Ora to get our people vaccinated has been great. There’s been a real sense of community involvement getting this done.”
Kevin added that there’s an increased importance in vaccinating now.
“It may be a cliché, but Delta is a game changer. It is more transmissible and more difficult to stamp out. Vaccination will be key to protecting everyone in the community from COVID-19 so that our communities can reopen safely and thrive.”
538 people were vaccinated over the three days, including students, staff, and their friends and whānau.