COVID-19
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through culturally safe, community-led approaches to navigating COVID-19, ensuring access to vaccines and reliable information to protect our most vulnerable.
What we do
The NACCHO COVID-19 Program aligns with ongoing efforts to address the health challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.
By collaborating with Health Sector Support Organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), the program provides a coordinated approach in line with the Australian Government’s guidelines on COVID-19. This initiative contributes to Australia’s strategy to transitioning to living with COVID-19, focusing on a methodical response tailored to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Our contributions
The COVID-19 program aims to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially during peak influenza (flu) season. Our focus is on encouraging vaccine uptake, particularly among older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those with chronic health conditions. These groups are at higher risk of acquiring and developing serious diseases from COVID-19, including long COVID.
The key elements of our work include:
Raising awareness
NACCHO works with ACCHOs to raise awareness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and the potential risks of not getting vaccinated.
Collaborating with ACCHOs, Health Sector Support Organisations, local health providers, community leaders, and other stakeholders we support the development of culturally appropriate, relevant and accessible information.
Addressing cultural and language barriers
Our work aims to address obstacles that may prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from getting vaccinated, such as lack of access to culturally safe health services, language and health literacy barriers, or concerns about vaccine safety.
Providing accurate and up-to-date information
NACCHO ensures clear and concise information is distributed to our members and health sector support organisations. Our information is collected from official clinical sources, including the Department of Health and Aged Care and other peak medical bodies about COVID-19 vaccines.
Resources
NACCHO’s COVID-19 program resource library offers publications and tools to support communities and health professionals.
Committees
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Protection
NACCHO co-chairs the National Aboriginal and Torres Straita Islander Health Protection (NATSIHP) subcommittee of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) with the Department of Health and Aged Care.
- NATSIHP also includes strong representation from the sector and provides holistic and culturally safe advice on health protection matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
NACCHO’s Aged Care programs are delivered in selected locations across its network, ensuring culturally appropriate care reaches Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in diverse urban, regional, and remote communities.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the COVID-19 team at: Covid19Vaccine@naccho.org.au
