This article present how New Zealand faced a major challenge to use the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2 virus) vaccination programme to optimise protective immunity, in order protect our largely non-immune population. The practical goal is to achieve a high uptake of vaccination while not leaving any parts of the community unprotected. Never before has the country had such a programme of vaccinating so many people within such a short time frame. In particular, this article discusses the COVID-19 vaccine response, community immunity, benefits of an effective vaccination programme, vaccine safety evidence and monitoring, and leadership from healthcare providers.
Challenge for COVID-19 vaccines to protect the New Zealand population