May 02, 2023
Primary health gaps affecting Māori immunisation rate
A Māori health researcher is blaming the lack of accessibility to primary health services for a significant drop in Māori immunisation rates.
Dr Esther Willing, a senior lecturer in hauora Māori at the University of Otago, says over the past five years many whanau have struggled to sign on to a general practice or get an appointment, which is where most immunisations for hapu mama or tamariki are provided.
She says the way Maori providers responded to Covid, by building on existing relationships to drive vaccination rates, points to a way to respond to current problems like the outbreak of whooping cough or pertussis.
“We need to see that sort of prioritisation of Maori health providers and outreach immunisation so the vaccinators are able to go out to Maori communities, to Maori homes, and vaccinate Maori mothers and babies against pertussis,” Dr Willing says.
She says getting whanau to talk among themselves about vaccination can also be helpful.