Immunisation rates for Māori children are below fifty percent in the Counties Manukau and Waikato areas; a situation that has persisted for several years. Immunisation rates for Pasifika children in those regions are also low.
This project is a dual region evaluation in collaboration with iwi, hapuu, Maaori providers, Pacific providers and whaanau to understand the effectiveness of currently delivered childhood immunisation services and initiatives for Maaori and Pasifika children (birth to five-years-old) and determine ways to increase rates in vulnerable populations.
While the project focuses on two regions, the findings will have relevance for those living in other parts of the country.
Researchers will also explore immunisation rates for whaanau hauaa and hāpu mothers and strategies to boost their immunisation rates.
The results of the project will inform development of a monitoring and information tool for health agencies and communities that enables them to access and track preferred methods of immunisation service delivery.
The project is done in partnership with community, whaanau, iwi, hapu and Maaori and Pacific health providers to understand factors such as the barriers and enablers to immunisation uptake and initiatives to address these.
