National Ministry of Health (MOH) data* shows tamariki Māori have the lowest childhood immunisation rates in Aotearoa, with only 45.9% up to date at six months of age.
This compares with 72.8 percent for New Zealand Europeans and 61.7 percent for Pasifika children, whose rates have also decreased over the last year.
Also, regional data** released this week highlights that the rolling average vaccination rates for tamariki Māori in Auckland continue to fall to even lower rates (Counties Manukau 36.1%, Auckland 45% and Waitemata 41.3%).
Dr Ranche Johnson, Clinical Facilitator with the National Hauora Coalition, says they support paediatrician Dr Owen Sinclair, chair of the Metro Auckland Immunisation Governance Group, who calls for Te Whatu Ora to take immediate action.
“We need to change where and how immunisations are given to children and give them on time. Our recommendation is that the vaccinator workforce for children needs to be increased with immediate effect.
“There are two obvious workforces available to us now. The non-regulated workforce (those trained to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations), and pharmacists,” says Dr Sinclair.
“With our borders now open, there is a huge urgency to vaccinate tamaraki, as the current rates have fallen below the level required to prevent disease,” says Dr Johnson
She says the health system is preparing for measles and whooping cough outbreaks, but with such low vaccination numbers in our community, whānau are at risk.
“Unfortunately, Primary Care has never delivered equitable childhood immunisation to Māori. This inequity is why structural change is needed to address the systemic and attitudinal barriers that Māori face when accessing timely immunisation,” says Dr Johnson.
Dr Johnson says that low vaccination rates are partly due to the increased workload and acute staff shortage facing General Practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues have impacted the delivery of immunisations and led to further pressures on the system.
“Aotearoa must also amend restrictive medicines regulations and open training and certification to pharmacists and Covid vaccinators so they can administer childhood immunisations.
“The COVID-19 response demonstrated the impact Māori and Pacific providers have in reaching their communities. Urgent action is needed to transform our COVID workforce into a culturally appropriate, locally available childhood immunising workforce. They require simple updated training in the administration of vaccines for children. The basic principles for safe vaccination are the same for all ages,” said Dr Johnson.
Research has shown that childhood immunisations are safe and effective with no significant side effects. National Hauora Coalition stresses that Aotearoa urgently needs systemic change to offer greater access to immunisation and protect tamariki Māori from an inequitable onslaught of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Do we have to wait for a catastrophe to make a change or continue to accept a failed racist system?” she says.
