ℙ𝕠𝕣𝕥 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜𝕖𝕣𝕤' 𝟡𝟝% 𝕧𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕓𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕜𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

𝔸 𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕟𝕦𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕧𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕓𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕦𝕔𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕜𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕥 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕖 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣'𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖.

J

ust last month Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said misinformation was keeping 44 percent of port workers from getting even a single dose.

Now 95 percent are fully vaccinated, in time for today's requirement for border workers to be immunised.

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The Maritime Union national secretary Craig Harrison said educating port workers about the Covid-19 vaccine has helped many to overcome any hesitancy.

"Emails have been sent and phone calls have been made trying to find out more about the vaccines and all the information," he said. 

"There's a lot of information out there on the internet, you've just got to hit the old Google and you come up with a whole lot, but our union's been telling everyone the best person to talk to is your own doctor."

He said workers had proactively sought information from trusted professionals.

"People are actively getting out there, contacting health professionals and getting advice."

Harrison said engaging workers helped, with the Ministry of Health and port companies offering roadshows with experts available to talk to.

Here's the National Party's strategy. pic.twitter.com/62dVtUAPA0

— North Korean Hermit (@rugbyintel) September 30, 2021

He said it could work elsewhere, where there is vaccine hesitancy.

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"Instead of preaching to them, let them get in front of health providers in small groups and let them make their own mind up."

Harrison said the fact their jobs hinge on having the vaccine from today is also a motivator.

"It's a pretty blunt wall to hit for a worker."

Yesterday, 98 percent of border workers had been vaccinated with at least one dose and 93 percent were fully vaccinated.

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