Vaccination stats

I think we have cause to celebrate. Despite not knowing what 2022 will bring, Aotearoa/New Zealand has a pretty high rate of vaccination - with over 91% of the eligible population having received two doses, though with Maori still under 80%.

Boosters are on the horizon for many (I'll be getting mine mid-January), and I'm thankful that 5 - 12 year olds will be able to get vaccinated too.

It's unfortunate that the perception of the vaccine is that you get it and then you're protected for the rest of your life. Alas, this isn't the reality. It does seem likely that relatively frequent boosters will be required, at least with the current technology. We are used to having a yearly vaccine against Influenza, and being required to get a Tetanus booster, so why not against Covid-19 as well.

Omicron at this stage seems to be less virulent than Delta, though more contagious. Who knows what the next variant will deliver.

The fact remains that the best defence against getting sick is to get vaccinated and encourage others to do so too.

Anti-vaxxers have largely lost their battle. It does seem that most of the population have been skeptical of their claims - and that is cause for celebration.