From 'symbols of colonisation' to a 'decolonising tool': how vaccine delivery in NZ could make the switch

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-02-05 06:00

New Zealand

PHOTO: Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

Community-led, culturally responsive delivery is needed for future vaccines to reduce high rates of Strep A, and resulting acute rheumatic fever, in Māori and Pacific populations, according to an NZ study. Researchers interviewed 20 whānau members and nine people working in healthcare about how they viewed Strep A vaccines being developed. Although most thought a vaccine would be valuable, some worried that it would mask underlying problems like poverty, poor housing and healthcare access. The researchers said that NZ needs to change the way vaccines are delivered, alongside wider efforts to reduce inequities, to make vaccines into “tools for Indigenous health and sovereignty.”

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Journal/
conference: PLOS Global Public Health

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Auckland

Funder: This work was supported by funding from Manatū Hauora - Ministry of Health New Zealand (contract 370383-00) awarded to NJM, AA, and RW as part of the Rapua Group A Streptococcus vaccine initiative. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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