aboriginal nsw - Lamp Online

Thanks to the ongoing commitment of General Practice, NSW has made significant progress in COVID-19 vaccination, resulting in a rapid rise in second dose coverage and further easing of restrictions across the state. However, Aboriginal people still have lower vaccination rates than non-Aboriginal people, placing Aboriginal communities at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing serious illness.

Most Aboriginal people who have been vaccinated in NSW did so in a General Practice setting – highlighting existing trusted and supportive relationships. Creating a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal patients who haven’t received their vaccination could be the encouragement others need to take up the COVID-19 vaccine.

Cultural safety for Aboriginal patients includes clear and respectful communication; respectful care informed by an understanding of culture; patient-empowered decision making; and often the inclusion of family members. Better health outcomes for Aboriginal people are produced with culturally safe care.

Strengthen the Aboriginal cultural safety and shared decision-making approach within your practice, including around COVID-19 vaccine, through the following:

1: Complete the RACGP Aboriginal Cultural Awareness and Safety training (available free to NSW non-RACGP members)
2: Make your practice welcoming and inclusive for Aboriginal patients using this checklist (RACGP accreditation standard)
3: Use a culturally appropriate SMS script to contact/re-contact Aboriginal patients and offer a vaccination information appointment (see MBS items), giving them time to ask questions and understand their options
4: Use the NSW Health shared decision making tool to facilitate conversations on COVID-19 vaccines with Aboriginal patients. The shared decision-making process allows patients and health care professionals to make informed, preference-based decisions together, and is helpful for patients who have questions or concerns. Watch a video about the tool here.

Click here for more strategies, tools and resources to promote vaccination to Aboriginal patients.

All Aboriginal people 12yr and over are eligible and a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination, yet the current vaccination rate among Aboriginal people in NSW is significantly lower than non-Aboriginal people. Outbreaks affecting Aboriginal communities in different parts of NSW have increased the urgency for vaccination.

Building on trusted relationships with your patients and local community, Practice Nurses are well placed to overcome barriers to vaccination among Aboriginal people including misunderstanding about eligibility and concerns about adverse reactions.

NSW Health suggests the following to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among Aboriginal people:

Ensure eligible Aboriginal people are prioritised for a vaccination appointment

Contact existing eligible Aboriginal patients and offer priority vaccination
Ensure people who enquire about COVID-19 vaccination are asked if they identify as Aboriginal to confirm their vaccination eligibility
Offer vaccination to Aboriginal patients when attending for other reasons
If you are not providing COVID-19 vaccination, refer Aboriginal patients to another provider
Display/use hardcopy posters and social media images to encourage vaccination

Information to support health professionals to talk to Aboriginal people about vaccination is available here.

Please contact moh-cah-covid19@health.nsw.gov.au if you have questions or would like additional resources to support Aboriginal people around COVID-19 vaccination.

NSW Health appreciates the significant contribution Practice Nurses are making to the COVID-19 control and prevention efforts – thank you.

Cultural safety and awareness are key to addressing the COVID-19 vaccination gap for Aboriginal patients

“Increase COVID-19 vaccination among Aboriginal people in NSW”: a message to General Practice Nurses