The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Getting vaccinated is the act of love needed right now to support the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during the pandemic

  • Written by Lisa Jackson Pulver, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Sydney

Redfern’s Community Chaplain Pastor Ray Minniecon, recently made a compelling video urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Pastor Minniecon regarded the simple act of becoming vaccinated as an act of love[1] for family and community, encouraging all to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.

There have been many barriers for Aboriginal communities to access the vaccine and culturally safe health-care[2] during the pandemic. However for some communities, access to health services is a struggle that predates the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aboriginal people have faced decades of exclusion from government decision making resulting in poor and inappropriate housing and service provision[3] which has impacted their health.

This did not change when the Commonwealth government declared Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a priority community[4] during the initial roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Aboriginal communities have struggled to get access[5] to the vaccine. Some were also concerned by inconsistent messaging[6] about the vaccine from federal and state governments.

All of this has contributed to a lack of trust in governments to ensure the rights and needs of Aboriginal people and communities are met.

A big concern about the current levels of vaccination in community is for younger children, Elders and others ineligible or unable to get the jab. These people could face exposure to COVID and other significant diseases.

Read more: Whiteness in the time of COVID: Australia's health services still leaving vulnerable communities behind[7]

Vulnerable communities taking the lead

Communities recognised the threat of this outbreak early on with actions[8] such as developing a pandemic response plan (Apunipima, January 2020[9]) and the development of appropriate language resources for communities (Northern Territory Land Councils, February 2020[10]. In addition, The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation co-chaired the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19[11] in March 2020.

Particularly for those living in communities outside of urban and regional areas, the risks related to COVID-19[12] are exacerbated by many factors. These include existing chronic illnesses and disabilities, mobility of people between communities and regions, poor and overcrowded housing and reliance on health outreach for regular health care.

Much of the care to communities is through the 143 local Aboriginal community controlled health[13] organisations and their 300 clinics.

Recent gains by the health sector in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap[14] offers a new era of collaboration between government, non-government organisations and community-controlled organisations. Recently in Western NSW we saw the positive impact of such collaboration when combined efforts resulted in an increase of COVID-19 vaccine doses[15] from 20% first dose coverage to 70% in a month.

However these organisations - like many other health-care providers in Australia - are dealing with significant staffing shortages because of COVID-related workloads, furloughing of staff and of staff themselves becoming sick.

Read more: COVID in Wilcannia: a national disgrace we all saw coming[16]

Low vaccination rates and poor housing in Aboriginal communities

The current outbreaks of the COVID-19 Delta variant have highlighted the gap in health services for communities already under-serviced. Some of these communities have witnessed the virus “rip through communities[17]”.

This is what has been seen in NSW and many other parts of Australia, despite the tremendous vaccine uptake of Aboriginal community members. Aboriginal people continue to be vaccinated at a rate that is 20% lower than the general population. This indicates devastating outbreaks will continue - not only in remote regions, but in communities closer to towns and cities.

Modelling shows[18] this vaccine uptake lag could translate into a doubling of deaths.

Pat Turner, CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation[19] argues that to protect communities, the aim must be to vaccinate as close as possible to 100% of Aboriginal people over the age of 12. Auntie Pat[20], whom Indigenous people will often title thus as a mark of respect, also describes how overcrowded housing and lack of places to quarantine has enabled the wildfire-like spread of COVID in some remote NSW communities, causing sickness and loss of life[21].

COVID is causing a further housing crisis in places where many Aboriginal people live. One example is the NSW North Coast where jobs have become precarious. This is due to long and fluctuating lockdowns and property demand from wealthy Sydney-siders anxious to escape[22] to regional areas.

Escalating house prices diminished the already stressed stock of affordable rentals held by multiple housing organisations. In addition, rent rises under these conditions have pushed families into homelessness, poverty[23] and higher risk of COVID infection[24].

These challenges and others have been years in the making, with calls from Aboriginal organisations’ for a centralised housing support strategy falling on deaf ears[25].

The pandemic has amplified ongoing inequalities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Communities have been placed at risk of losing their jobs and roofs over their heads at the same time. Overcrowding and homelessness bring multiple risks to health and well-being. These risks range from infectious diseases to mental health and safety concerns.

A person is receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.
Despite the vaccine uptake of Aboriginal community members, they continue to be vaccinated at a rate 20% lower than the general population. Dan Himbrechts/AAP[26]

Uncle Ray’s and Auntie Pat’s messages, along with those of many other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander epidemiologists[27], researchers[28], doctors[29], nurses[30], health-workers and community leaders[31], are exactly what Australia needs right now. Why? because not leaving anyone behind is a characterisic of how we care for one another.

As Auntie Yvonne Cadet-James says:

People shouldn’t be listening to gossip, there’s a lot of that in the media […] the more we get vaccinated, the more we build up that immunity as a community, so that protects everybody[32].

The message is clear - get vaccinated, look after one another, don’t leave anyone behind. Find love in your heart and act to protect yourself, your family and your community.

For government, Auntie Pat says, the time for others to make decisions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is over.

Now is the time to address the long standing inequities in health, well-being and the ongoing housing and employment crisis impacting Aboriginal people.

During this age of COVID, Australians must show the world our full capability to listen, get behind and champion the rights and needs of Aboriginal people.

We have never been so strong. And we can’t leave anyone behind.

References

  1. ^ act of love (www.health.gov.au)
  2. ^ culturally safe health-care (www.mja.com.au)
  3. ^ poor and inappropriate housing and service provision (www.thelancet.com)
  4. ^ priority community (www.health.gov.au)
  5. ^ access (time.com)
  6. ^ inconsistent messaging (www.abc.net.au)
  7. ^ Whiteness in the time of COVID: Australia's health services still leaving vulnerable communities behind (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ actions (www.aph.gov.au)
  9. ^ Apunipima, January 2020 (www.apunipima.org.au)
  10. ^ Northern Territory Land Councils, February 2020 (www.youtube.com)
  11. ^ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19 (www.health.gov.au)
  12. ^ risks related to COVID-19 (www.health.gov.au)
  13. ^ Aboriginal community controlled health (healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au)
  14. ^ National Agreement on Closing the Gap (www.pmc.gov.au)
  15. ^ resulted in an increase of COVID-19 vaccine doses (www.theguardian.com)
  16. ^ COVID in Wilcannia: a national disgrace we all saw coming (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ rip through communities (nacchocommunique.com)
  18. ^ Modelling shows (www.mja.com.au)
  19. ^ National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (www.naccho.org.au)
  20. ^ Auntie Pat (iview.abc.net.au)
  21. ^ sickness and loss of life (www.thelancet.com)
  22. ^ escape (www.abc.net.au)
  23. ^ homelessness, poverty (www.ncoss.org.au)
  24. ^ higher risk of COVID infection (www.sciencedirect.com)
  25. ^ falling on deaf ears (www.echo.net.au)
  26. ^ Dan Himbrechts/AAP (photos.aap.com.au)
  27. ^ epidemiologists (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  28. ^ researchers (www.croakey.org)
  29. ^ doctors (www.health.gov.au)
  30. ^ nurses (www.health.gov.au)
  31. ^ health-workers and community leaders (www.sbs.com.au)
  32. ^ so that protects everybody (www.youtube.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/getting-vaccinated-is-the-act-of-love-needed-right-now-to-support-the-survival-of-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples-during-the-pandemic-169245

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...