October 20, 2021
Age split affecting Māori vax rates
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Māori vaccination rates are heading in the right direction.
She says rates are high for the 50 plus age group, and extremely high in the 65 plus range.
But with the Māori median age being 25 and 27 for Māori males and females respectively, compared with the national median ages of 36 and 38, that means a lot of Māori only became eligible for the vaccine six weeks ago.
“It is that younger group and there will be lots of reasons for that. Outside of Auckland Covid doesn’t really feel like it is on their doorstep, they probably feel a bit more invincible and if we are honest, they have been subject of a lot more misinformation online so it is about having those conversations with our rangatahi and giving them the reason why it is so important, but I do think they will get there,” Ms Ardern says.
She says Māori who have been vaccinated should contact their relatives to encourage them to do the same, as trusted voices are most effective.