As the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out gathers momentum, ethnic communities have been voicing their concerns about the message not reaching their people.
Language challenges, minimal use of English language media and cultural differences all conspire against the Covid-19 vaccination message reaching Auckland’s diverse ethnic communities, a spokesperson for Independent Living Charitable Trust says.
To overcome this challenge, Independent Living is partnering with the Ministry of Health to provide impartial vaccination advice and support to the Chinese, Korean, Maori and Pasifika communities, through contactless means such as calling, zoom presentations and a website.
Independent Living is a charitable trust supporting people with disabilities and mobility issues.
With their existing Asian Information Service team already having strong relationships with these communities, Independent Living’s Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Maori-speaking advisors are well placed to advise and answer questions on the vaccine, testing and other Covid-19 related queries, the trust says.
The Independent Living website contains information on the vaccine rollout including local vaccination centres and frequently asked questions in a variety of languages.
- For queries on the vaccination rollout in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Maori, visit www.ilsnz.org or phone the Independent Living advisory helpline on 0800 625 100.
