Letter to the Editor in response to the article by Borg et al

Abstract

The letter text below (reproduced with permission) is a response to an article by Borg et al, Communication-based interventions for increasing influenza vaccination rates among Aboriginal children: A randomised controlled trial, published in Vaccine, Volume 36, Issue 45, 6590-6795, 2018.

Borg et al then replied to the letter below in Vaccine, Volume 37, Issue 26, Pages 3382-3382.

Letter to the Editor in response to the article by Borg et al

Kristy Crooks, Katrina Clark, Natalie Allan, Paula Taylor, Adrian Miller, Sandra Campbell. Vaccine, 2019-06-06, Volume 37, Issue 26, Pages 3381-3381, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.05.021. Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd, https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine

Dear Editor,

As Australian First Nations people, public health practitioners and academics, we would like to thank Borg et al. for the raising the importance of increasing influenza vaccination rates [1]. The coverage of influenza immunisation in Australian First Nations children is close to 50% in the Northern Territory but is very low in most other states, thus this is a topic worthy of research. We would, however, like to offer an additional interpretation of their study results.

Raising immunisation coverage from 4% to 6% is reported in the paper as a statistically significant result. We feel the most important result is that at least 94% of children remained unimmunised.

Whilst the authors acknowledge that the issue requires further research, we would like to offer an alternative perspective on strategies to increase influenza vaccination rates in First Nations communities. For example, instead of focusing on letters and pamphlets for parents and guardians as modes of communication, as described in the article, we suggest that focusing on Cultural Governance is most important. First Nations people must have a real say about defining the issue/s, suggesting the solutions to be trialled and interpreting results.

It is not clear to what degree the study reported in Borg et al. involved First Nations people in study design and governance or the intervention implementation. We strongly advocate exploring models of vaccine delivery that are flexible, family-centred, and characterised by beneficial robust partnerships [2]. We recommend establishing a culturally appropriate governance structure at the outset of work undertaken in this area, whereby First Nations people make a real contribution and participate fully in shared decision-making. If we continue to conduct studies that are not led by First Nations people, then they are likely to yield the same results, perhaps with little to no benefit to the health of First Nations people. We believe First Nations people can be centrally positioned in this type of work, in spaces where there is shared power and empowerment, to ameliorate the health and social impacts of colonisation.

Thus we propose an approach that is informed, developed, led and governed by Australian First Nations peoples [3]. Genuine, meaningful and respectful engagement and action that facilitates active and equal participation is critical in the development, implementation, interpretation of findings, and dissemination of any health program or research [4].

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge and thank Patrick Cashman, Ross Andrews, Peter Massey, and David Durrheim for their continued support and being willing to give up space and share power ensuring we as First Nations people have a voice.

References

[1] K. Borg, K. Sutton, M. Beasley, et al. Communication-based interventions for increasing influenza vaccination rates among Aboriginal children: A randomised controlled trial Vaccine, 36 (45) (2018), pp. 6590-6795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.09.020

[2] S. Thomas, P. Cashman, F. Islam, et al. Tailoring immunisation service delivery in a disadvantaged community in Australia; views of health providers and parents Vaccine, 36 (19) (2018), pp. 2596-2603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.03.072

[3] L.M. Jamieson, Y.C. Paradies, S. Eades, et al. Ten principles relevant to health research among Indigenous Australian populations Med J Aust, 197 (1) (2012), p. 16. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja11.11642

[4] National health and medical research council (Australia). Values and ethics: Guidelines for ethical conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. The Council; 2003.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd, https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/vaccine