Infection with Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) results in a wide range of diseases including rheumatic fever (ARF) which inequitably effects Māori and Pacific children in Aotearoa New Zealand. This high Strep A disease incidence drove the establishment of Rapua te mea ngaro ka tau- an Aotearoa led initiative that aims to facilitate Strep A vaccine development. This presentation focuses on a qualitative phase of the project that sought Indigenous Māori and Pacific communities’ perspectives on how best to develop and deliver a vaccine in Aotearoa.
The research used an Indigenous (Kaupapa Māori), qualitative methodology. Data was collected through whānau (family) interviews with participants residing in Auckland who identified as Māori or Pacific. Data was analysed using a general inductive approach.
Sixteen whānau (n=20 people) participated. Participants expressed diverse understandings of vaccinations, yet all supported the development of a Strep A vaccine as an option to address ARF. Core values of hauora (wellness), kotahitanga (collectiveness), whanaungatanga (relationships) and tino rangatiratanga (sovereignty) underlay perceptions of vaccine development and delivery. Mistrust in the government and colonial health system arose as concerns, as did vaccines not addressing social determinants of health. Participants advocated for Māori and Pacific led vaccine delivery to ensure flexible and culturally safe models of delivery. This project demonstrates the value of Indigenous research and methodologies that allow Indigenous informed models of care.