First Nations media organisations have come together across the country to proactively help the vaccination campaign in Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In addition to direct campaign from Department of Health, First Nations media organisations have been getting creative about vaccination messaging, supporting community members to feel comfortable about getting the jab and responding to community concerns from a local perspective.
Mount Isa's own MOB FM radio show have been out and about and recently had a sit down with Dr Marjad Page about the importance of getting vaccinated.
Read more:
Misinformation on social media has been hard to combat, but Dr Page encourages everyone to talk to a health professional and get the real facts about the jabs.
"Long story short is you have a lot of health professionals who have reviewed and studied these vaccinations and we would not be giving these to our people if we didn't think it was safe," Dr Page said.
"The risk is low with the vaccinations, although side affects can happen, but other than that there is going to be a lot more betterment for the community if you do get the vaccination - not only for you, but for the people.
"I think that's what we really have to remember, it's not about us as individuals, this is about our people, and I think that's really important, we look after our people, our community."
First Nations media organisations to go above and beyond their usual broadcast services to get the word out and increase the vaccination levels in recent weeks, including content produced in Kriol, Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjarra, Warlpiri, Arrente, Yolgnu Matha and English languages.
First Nations Media Australia CEO, Dennis Stokes said "I am really pleased to see the deadly work our First Nations media organisations are doing to increase COVID vaccination rates in our communities. The content that is being produced and distributed across the country through our own creative messaging has really engaged the community in a more specific, culturally appropriate way."
The campaign has seen a noteable rise in vaccination numbers within communities that have a dedicated First Nations media service working along side the local Aboriginal Medical Services.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Partnerships Craig Crawford echoed the sentiment in a recent visit, saying Indigenous vax rates in Mount Isa and Doomdgee were not far behind the state average.
Over the coming weeks, First Nations media organisations will continue to produce deadly content for the campaign, including the prospect of a third dose for the severely immunocompromised, as we head towards reaching the vaccination targets around the country.
You can tune in to MOB FM on 100.9 or visit their Facebook page.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Bookmark https://www.northweststar.com.au/
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Google News
