Just 3 percent of frontline managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) workers have turned down a COVID-19 vaccine.
Joint head of managed isolation and quarantine Brigadier Jim Bliss says they've come a long way.
"This is the largest immunisation programme ever undertaken in this country and MIQ and border workers were first in line," he said.
"They are among the people most at risk of exposure and I'm really proud so many of them have stepped up and led the way for the country."
Ninety-seven percent of MIQ workers have been vaccinated. The other 3 percent will be redeployed by their employer.
"We always expected there would be a small percentage who wouldn't," Bliss said.
"On any given day we have around 4500 people working in our 32 MIQ facilities from over 300 different employers. Anyone not vaccinated, in order to meet the border order requirements, will be redeployed by their employer.
"These are individual employment discussions for employers to have with their employees. We have supported them with assistance from the Ministry for Social Development to explore other employment options."
But there are an unknown number of Gisborne port workers refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Gisborne's port started its border worker vaccine rollout on February 27 - but only four of 40 stevedores got vaccinated, according to Local Democracy Reporting.
Some who refused it said it was their "human right" to refuse, while others didn't think it was necessary.
From May 1, all MIQ workers will need to provide proof of vaccination every time they enter a facility.
Current workers will be considered vaccinated if they have had one dose of the vaccine. All current workers must have had two doses of the vaccine by June 5, 2021.
