An initiative to get people vaccinated against Covid-19 in New Plymouth this morning using the lure of a free bacon buttie is being hailed a success.
The city's vaccination centre threw out the appointment book and put on breakfast and an espresso for anyone getting a jab between 7am and 9am.
Head of the region's vaccination programme, Bevan Clayton-Smith, said the response had been excellent.
"There's been a steady stream of people coming in from 7am onwards. In fact some people came in before and that was okay.
"And a lot of people just walking [here] trying to change existing bookings and we've been happy to accommodate that as well."
Clayton-Smith said there was no requirement to make a booking and the early morning start was proving a huge motivating factor for tradies in particular to come in for their vaccination.
"An important thing has also been the time some people are on the way to work and it's on the way for some people from work to home - shiftworkers - so that's probably something we have to explore to make it [getting a vaccination] more accessible."
He said the free bacon buttie and espresso was just a bonus for many.
