February 21, 2021
Fact-based campaign needed to boost vaccine confidence
A big push is coming to reassure Māori of the safety of COVID vaccinations.
Workers at south Auckland's Jet Park quarantine facility were vaccinated on Saturday, and over the next couple of weeks, 12,000 border and MIQ workers will get the Pfizer vaccine, followed by their household contacts.
Details are still being worked out for the wider public roll out later this year.
In reply to a question last week from Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa Packer, COVID Response Minister Chris Hipkins promised a specific vaccination plan for Māori.
That will include working through health providers Maori have an existing trusted relationship with, to ensure that Māori feel confident in receiving the vaccine.
Counties Manukau District Health Board chief executive Margie Apa says while there may be some hesitancy in Māori and Pasifika communities, people should make a decision based on good information and listening to trustworthy people.
"Don't make the decision out of fear or 'what my cousin told me about what happened in so and so.' I really want to encourage our community to look for really good fact-based information, and as we create forums, because I know our Māori and Pacific comms campaigns are going to come out and they are going to invite panels and we are going to have lots of dialogue, ask lots of questions, get yourself informed and make that decision based on good information," she says.
Margie Apa says Māori doctors and nurses will play a big part in the campaigns.
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