Supporting winter wellness for essential workers
With warnings from virologists that New Zealand should prepare for a bad flu season, Sealord has taken steps to protect its workers and their household members from the virus.
The major Nelson employer held a special vaccination event, organised by the company’s Health & Safety team, in conjunction with Te Piki Oranga on 26 April. 113 members of the company’s whānau are now better protected against catching and spreading influenza to the colleagues, families and communities.
The clinic was set up in Sealord’s amenities building at the Vickerman Street site, making it close and convenient to workers.
“I didn’t need to take time off work or organise a visit to the doctor,” says Wetfish Factory General Hand Alan Bruning.
The other benefits of free onsite vaccination appreciated by workers included the supportive presence of friends and whānau, and being able to ask colleagues to translate some of the nurses’ advice and instructions into their native languages.
Three nurses from Te Piki Oranga administered the vaccinations and some workers, such as Forklift Driver Grant Faulknor, opted to receive their COVID-19 booster vaccinations at the same time. Sealord support staff helped people check-in and guided everyone through the required recovery time in a special waiting room.
“We joined forces with Te Piki Oranga nearly two years ago to enable members of the Sealord team to have COVID-19 vaccinations on-site,” says Sealord Occupational Health Nurse Anne Campbell.
“Many people commented on how well cared for they felt, so when we had so many sign up for flu jabs this year, it seemed a great idea to team up with them again.
“This is the first time they’ve been on site to do both the flu and Covid vaccinations and I’m very pleased with how well it went. While I’m able to give the flu vaccinations myself, I could never have helped so many people in one day and would have needed someone else to be working with me – either another nurse or a first aider – in case anyone needed extra assistance. The fact that they’re able to give both vaccinations is an added bonus.
“I’m just so grateful that they were able to come to help out.”
The team from Te Piki Oranga were also pleased with how the day worked.
“It’s just been awesome,” says Marissa Pou, Kano Kano Kaituitui (vaccinator/educator coordinator). “It’s really important to be able to provide a service like this for everyone because we are able to get to whānau at their place of work, and here at Sealord we have a significant number of Māori and Pasifika workers, so being able to reach them in their place of mahi is good for everyone.
“We were supported on the day too by Te Whatu Ora and Te Waka Hauora nurses. Anne from Sealord put together an amazing schedule and was able to send out information to people in advance, which helped with the flow of the day.”
Photo: Marissa Pou, Kano Kano Kaituitui (vaccinator/educator coordinator).
