In an interview for Tagata Pasifika, Mrs Sorensen acknowledges the leadership by the Government in making the decision.

“We need to be consistent, we need to show leadership and I think it’s fantastic leadership from the Government to say this is what’s required to keep us all safe.

We have about 150 staff ourselves and have actually had this policy for three years now – we require our staff to be vaccinated and this was prior to Covid-19.”

Mrs Sorensen says it is important that people working closely within the community are vaccinated to ensure that everyone is protected and safe.

“We have had over the last couple of years some people who have said that they don’t think they should be vaccinated and I think that’s okay too.

It’s no judgement, but we are working front on with our community. It’s our job to keep both our workforce and our families safe and this is what we need to do.

We deal with each person as an individual. A lot of people’s concerns are real and valid and they just need some time, but we’re 100% clear this is the way to keep safe.”

Mrs Sorensen urges everyone to get vaccinated so we can protect each other.

“This is about our future, let’s take charge of our future and step out. One family at a time, one person at a time and keep us all safe.

This is about us, it’s not about someone else. Let’s step up and do the job really well. We’re almost there, we just need to keep going.”

Healthcare workers are expected to be fully vaccinated by December 1, 2021 and teachers by January 1, 2022.

Watch the full interview here.

#pmafamily #pmaunite

Date: Tuesday 16 November 2021