Indigenous health

The Australian Department of Health has produced an useful web page with information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about COVID-19 vaccines and the current rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

This web page includes answers to the following questions:

• Why should I get vaccinated for COVID-19?
• Where and when should I get vaccinated?
• Are there any known side-effects?
• Can I choose not to be vaccinated?
• Which vaccine will I be getting?
• I live remotely and move between places, what should I do?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people living in remote communities are at greater risk from COVID-19. This is because:

• there are higher rates of other health issues in these communities
• it can be harder to access health care
• people in the community are very mobile and travel often
• people often rely more on outreach services in remote places.

Queensland Health has developed a range of COVID-19 resources for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and services. New resources will be added as they continue to be developed.

The most accurate and credible information regarding COVID-19 is issued from Department of Health (State and Commonwealth) sources. Please be mindful that some resources developed by other states have state-specific information.

• Australian Government Department of Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities – Information on how to protect your self and your mob
• Australian Government National Indigenous Australians Agency – New online training and toolkit for health professionals
• Queensland Government (Queensland Health) – COVID-19 Palliative Care Resources Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association (NATSIHWA) resources
• NATSIHWA COVID-19 resource toolkit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) COVID-19 updates and information – Stop the spread of COVID-19
• Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet COVID-19 resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals
• Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) – Coronavirus (COVID-19):  Staying Connected, Stronger together
• Aboriginal Indigenous Doctors’ Association Ltd (AIDA)
• Impact of COVID-19 in remote and regional settings (Australian Government): This presentation includes an introduction to modelling, how COVID-19 could spread in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and what individuals and communities can do to try and stop the spread of COVID-19
• Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) coronavirus disease 2019