The Covid-19 vaccination rollout in the Bay of Plenty region is fast approaching 6000, placing the region among some of the best performing in the nation for vaccine rollout.

The BOPDHB ranks fourth overall regarding the percentage of vaccinations carried out against the planned amount for the same timeframe.

The BOPDHB had planned to have rolled out 4025 vaccinations by April 25 but has actually performed 5435.

That is a total of 135 per cent, placing the Bay of Plenty fourth in the nation behind Whanganui (148 per cent), Nelson Marlborough (143 per cent) and Mid Central (137 per cent).

The vaccination programme in the BOP region has so far prioritised border staff, mostly at the Port of Tauranga, and frontline health workers.

Another round of vaccinations will be rolled out throughout the port over the coming weeks to pick up any remaining unvaccinated workers.

Mass vaccination sites away from frontline staff at hospitals are also set to open in mid-May as the community roll out begins in earnest.

Vaccinations throughout aged residential facilities began at the start of last week.

'It represents an amazing effort by everyone involved,” says chief medical officer Kate Grimwade.

'It is an absolute team effort from people who, six months ago, never imagined they would be doing this work.”

The BOPDHB serves a population of 259,090 people. The latest vaccination figures therefore represent 2.1 per cent of the population so far having received their Covid-19 vaccination.

'We are seeing great success with rollout,” Kate says.

'We are working hard with all our different groups to bring everyone on board and we hope to see even further success as we reach out further into our communities to get the best protection we can for the people we serve.”