Message from the Publisher #021 – Educate and promote vaccination to CALD communities

Educate and promote vaccination to CALD communities

What is a Covid normal society? One thing we are certain. It must start from the vaccination program which brings hope that all Australians will be protected. The transition from a state of threat to a state of safety (Covid-safe) will take time and that is the Covid normal that we must be prepared for, probably for the year ahead.

Professor Brendan Murphy, Secretary of Department of Health had predicted that the border of Australia will not be open to international travellers until 2022, as vaccines may not slow down the spread of the virus. Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly echoed the same concern. However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the government would do weekly review and he did not rule out an earlier opening of the border.

TGA has provisionally approved the use of Pfizer vaccine in Australia and the vaccination program will start in a few weeks. Quarantine and health professionals are in the priority list of those to be vaccinated followed by people over 70. Prime Minister Morrison has not put vaccination as mandatory for aged-care workers yet. But businesses are said to be free to supply services only to vaccinated people. How vaccination will change Australia is still unknown, but we know that is normal – Covid-Normal.

The world production rate of vaccines is not as good as expected and countries like the US, UK and other European countries will take quite a long while to be protected by vaccination. Australia which is not under great infection probably will be difficult to get a big share of the vaccines. At least until in late March after the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is produced locally, Australia will not have a reliable and sustainable supply.

There is some concern that Covid misinformation especially that on safety and efficacy of vaccine will affect the rate of adoption of vaccination. People exposed in Covid misinformation may be vulnerable in choosing not to take up vaccination, especially CALD communities which have little trust towards government. There is a need for the government to promote Covid vaccination, especially among ethnic minorities.

We urge the various governments in Australia to educate and promote vaccination programs to CALD communities in order that they can receive timely vaccination.

Raymond Chow
Publisher, BlessingCALD