South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network COORDINARE is encouraging more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to book a COVID vaccination or speak with their doctor or health worker if they have any questions or concerns.
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COORDINARE and Beyond Empathy have teamed up to create #fabvac, a campaign featuring videos made by young people yarning with Aboriginal elders about COVID vaccination.
COORDINARE covers a region which stretches from Helensburgh to the Victorian border and inland to Yass and Goulburn. It works with diverse government, non-profit, education and research, and private health care organisations to improve health outcomes across the region.
COORDINARE's Aboriginal health community engagement consultant Terry Hill is concerned people from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community are reluctant to participate in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program due to misinformation.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 and older are eligible for the vaccines. But many people in our community are vaccine hesitant due to negative media reports about blood clotting and other reported side effects. Our community have become fearful or complacent and are reacting to one or two negative events," Mr Hill said.
"We engaged Beyond Empathy, a not-for-profit community, arts and cultural development organisation, to work with a team of young Aboriginal people to develop four short videos encouraging Aboriginal community members to at least speak with their doctor or local health worker about COVID vaccines and [we are] asking young people to have a chat with their families about getting vaccinated."
The videos show Angela Nye from Katungal receiving a COVID vaccine and include interviews with Walbunja community members, Mr Hill, Ms Nye and Shane Carriage, CEO of Ulladulla Aboriginal Lands Council as well as Jim Allen, coordinator of Murra Mia Aboriginal Tenants' Advocacy Service, a proud Kamilaroi man.
Ms Nye, an older Aboriginal person with chronic diseases, said she "knows for a fact" she probably would not survive if she was infected with COVD.
Mr Hill said we have been fortunate that no COVID-19 cases have been recorded within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community, thanks to the huge effort by community leaders and government to protect the community from exposure to the virus.
"Our people suffer from the poorest health outcomes, so it is worrying if Aboriginal people are hesitant to participate in a program that will help protect our health," he said.
"COVID-19 can cause serious health issues. Community members need to seek information from trusted sources like their doctor and the Department of Health website before making up their minds, instead of negative comments on social media."
From August 9, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 12 to 15 years are eligible for COVID vaccines. For more information about COVID vaccines, read answers to common questions on the Department of Health website here.
The videos will be shared across a range of social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Liam Cormican
I'm a journalist for the South Coast Register. Got a tip? Email liam.cormican@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I'm a journalist for the South Coast Register. Got a tip? Email liam.cormican@austcommunitymedia.com.au
