The Ministry of Health is encouraging everyone who received their first vaccination three weeks ago on Super Saturday - October 16 - to get their second dose this weekend – or as soon as possible after that.

Vaccination centres open across New Zealand are listed on the Ministry of Health's website

Vaccination clinics around New Zealand are gearing up for a good weekend as people who received their first doses on Super Saturday become eligible for their second shot, COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme National Director Jo Gibbs says.

'Three weeks ago, Super Saturday galvanised our nation with a record-breaking 130,002 people getting vaccinated on a single day - now it's time for the 39,025 people who got their first doses that day to get their second dose,” says Jo.

"This is a not a repeat of Super Saturday but another great example of the mahi DHBs, GPs and hauora providers are doing to go the extra mile to get communities fully vaccinated for summer. Being fully vaccinated means we have more freedom to do the things we love with the people we love.

'Text or email reminders have gone out to everyone who got their first dose on Super Saturday to either book or turn-up at a walk-in or drive-through clinic this weekend or as soon as possible after that to become fully vaccinated. We're running a Super Saturday 2nd Shot radio and social media campaign plus advertising around NPC rugby matches this weekend to encourage vaccinations.

'There are some great events on around the motu this weekend, such as Auckland's GotYaDot where you can get dotted (vaccinated) at Eden Park and experience the players' tunnel and team changing room. Those who are vaccinated will get their names up on the big screen that normally celebrates tries at the iconic rugby field.

'In Porirua, a vaccination site has been set up as a tag football event tomorrow (6 November) and all tag players who get vaccinated will get a voucher for free kai and can nominate a Porirua tag team to receive a koha. An ‘Ethkick' event targeting ethnic communities is running at the Katikati RSA in the Bay of Plenty tomorrow, which will combine a vaccination pop-up at a soccer tournament.

'Today, November 5, on the West Coast, they've launched their C'mon Coasters, it's time campaign to lift its vaccination rates and will have a range of vaccination clinics running over the weekend, including a drive-through at the Greymouth aerodrome. Another example is a multi-ethnic family fun day will be held in New Plymouth on Sunday afternoon, with a pop-up vaccination clinic, food, face painting, and ethnic minority doctors in attendance to talk to migrants about any concerns with getting vaccinated.

'I'm also pleased to announce some of the major prizes from our Super Saturday Vaxathon. Hawke's Bay township Waipukurau was the top Māori vaccinating town where an impressive 13% of local Māori were vaccinated that day – that's why community organisation Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga has won $10,550 from the auctioned Vaxathon mural.

'Canterbury township Rakaia was the top vaccinating town with 12.8% of eligible locals getting vaccinated, which has earned it $15,000 of Mitre10 vouchers for Rakaia Medical Centre. Capital & Coast DHB was the top Super Saturday region, where Fulton Hogan donated $15,000 to Te Ātiawa Waikanae Marae, $30,000 to Evolve Youth One Stop Shop and $30,000 to Partners Porirua.

'We expect to reach the milestone of administering 7 million doses this weekend, and we only need to vaccinate 50,035 more people to reach 90% of our eligible population nationwide who have had their first dose.

'We're closing in on our 90 per cent target of fully vaccinated people for each DHB in New Zealand with 77 per cent fully vaccinated to date. Once every DHB reaches this 90% fully vaccinated target, we'll move into our COVID-19 Protection Framework.

'I urge anyone over 12 who hasn't yet been vaccinated or have received their first dose at least three weeks ago to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated for Super Saturday 2nd Shot. Vaccinations are our armour and it's only 26 days till the first day of summer so let's go, Aotearoa,” says Jo.

The Government has published details about its vaccine certification system to be released later in November as Covid-19 is detected in Napier, Gisborne and Taranaki wastewater.

The Ministry of Health says the samples in Napier or Gisborne could be from recovered cases returning to the region from MIQ, transient visitors to the region, or could signal undetected cases in the community.

There are no MIQ facilities, or known Covid-19 cases isolating, in Napier or Gisborne.

Meanwhile it was also confirmed that an ESR wastewater sample taken in Stratford came back with a positive result for Covid-19.

The Government also released details about its new app My Vaccine Pass, which will be an official record of a person's Covid-19 vaccination status, and help people access places within New Zealand that require proof of vaccination.

A separate pass will be used for international travel.

Data will be carried in a QR code which users will be able to download or print. The Ministry of Health is building a free app to scan the My Vaccine Pass codes.

The ministry contracted tech company MATTR to construct vaccination passes.

On Friday the ministry also confirmed a second Covid-related death in the community of a person who was isolating at home.

Global toll

Data from Johns Hopkins University shows more than 248.9 million people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and 5million have died. Vaccination efforts are continuing with more than 7.1 billion doses administered around the world.

The United States continues to record the most cases and fatalities - 46m cases and 752,091 deaths.
India and Brazil also have some of the highest infection and death counts - 34.3m infections and 459,873 deaths in India, and 21.8m cases and 608,671 deaths in Brazil.

What should I do?

Anyone who wants to get tested can find their local testing centres by visiting the Ministry of Health website.

Quarantine-free travel from Australia has been suspended.

Auckland is in step 1 of a three-part 'roadmap' out of lockdown. Parts of Waikato are now at Alert Level 3 Step 2. Upper Northland is at the standard Alert Level 3 — full restrictions apply. Steps 1, 2 and 3 do not apply to this region.

The rest of the country is at alert level 2, with masks mandatory for people over the age of 12 when accessing essential services such as supermarkets.

People should use the Covid-19 tracer app.

If you are sick, call your GP before you visit, or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

To avoid contracting and spreading the virus, wash your hands properly, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow and throw tissues away immediately.

Reach out, find support from people who care, connect with your community or help a neighour in need.