A frontline worker for the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) says getting the Covid-19 vaccine was a “no brainer” to protect her family and the wider community. Lucyanne Laurenson, who is the Director of Learning Development for PMA, encourages more Pacific families to get vaccinated.
At a press conference this week, Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said that the country is expected to hit the 100,000 doses administered milestone, in the next couple of days.
Dr Bloomfield also confirmed that all district health boards around the country were now operating vaccination clinics and a substantial increase is expected in the coming weeks.
Laurenson leads a team supporting the Cook Islands Ministry of Health. Each week she works at the boarder checking if the compatriots returning to the Cook Islands have their updated Covid-19 results and passes on any other vital updated health messages.
‘It was a no brainer for me to get the vaccine,” says the mother-of-two, whose entire household also received the two Covid-19 vaccines. “Any protection for our family and our community is important.”
She also says that in her important role, she had to consider the wellbeing of the Cook Islands and other Pacific nations, despite the critics and the unfounded theories surrounding the vaccinations.
“I ignored the doubters. This is my world, my own bubble and values. In my job, I’m actually supporting the whole of the Cook Islands and that weighs heavily on my shoulders.”
The Covid-19 vaccination roll out started in February, with vaccinators, boarders and MIQ staff, followed by frontline health staff and priority groups including people living in aged-care facilities and anyone living in the Counties Manukau DHB area, aged 65 and older or with an underlying health condition. Next are other priority groups and the rest of the country, which is expected to start in July.
Laurenson urges families who have any questions surrounding the vaccinations to contact their GP or local health providers.
“I always think back to the first outbreak and what everyone went through around the world. We all felt helpless and so I never want to be in that position again. “
#pmafamily
Date: Thursday 08 April 2021