2021 Mega Vax Pacific Event Mobilising Pacific to be Safer Together
Cover image above photo credit - Counties Manukau Health
A COVID-19 survivor is urging Pasifika to come forward and get vaccinated at a Mega Vax Pacific event at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland November 12th to 14th.
Tuala Tagaloa Tusani was hospitalised in September with the virus, and wants to prevent others from experiencing the same pain. "It felt like I was burning from the inside. Getting the vaccine will help keep our community out of hospital and prevent us from dying. Please bring your family and friends to this event to help protect us all against this disease.”
The Mega Vax Pacific event is being organised by the Pacific Leadership Forum (PLF) to help protect the Pasifika community that was hit hard by the Delta community outbreak that began in Auckland in August. PLF Chairman Pakilau Manase Lua is calling for all in the Auckland Pacific community to unite with one heart and one purpose, to get Pasifika vaccinated.
"We are facing a challenging task to engage and mobilise this last group of vaccine hesitant and vaccine resistant. However, we are determined to not leave anyone behind in this pandemic and stand in unity against the virus, not the people.”
It's estimated there are over 30,000 Pacific people in Auckland who are unvaccinated and a further 30,000 who need to get their second dose.
The Mega Vax Pacific (MVP) event is a drive through vaccination event to be held over three days, Friday 12 November to Sunday 14 November, 9am to 5pm, at Mt Smart Stadium, 51 O'Rorke Road, Penrose Auckland.
The event aims to create an atmostphere to celebrate and experience Pacific cultures rather than focus on the jab alone. The layout of the Mt Smart venue will be a drive through journey that encounters sights and sounds from nine Pacific nations and include appearances from Pacific sports celebrities, musicians, Auckland councillors and MPs.
Mt Smart Stadium is home to the NZ Warriors so a special photo frame will be on display to safely capture a momentous occasion.
Prize draws and competitions will be running throughout the three days to maintain a festive spirit. The MVP event is a collaborative effort between PLF, Northern Regional Health Coordination Centre, South Seas Healthcare, Pasefika Family Health Group, Auckland Unlimited and Ministry of Health.
Although the event is targetting Pacific people, everyone is invited to join in the Pasifika celebration and help the Auckland region reach 90% full vaccination rates and enable family and friends to reconnect and be safer together for summer and Christmas.
