Strategies to strengthen childhood vaccination uptake: a qualitative study exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families' perspectives.
8 affiliations
- 1Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia.
- 2Menzies School of Health Research Global Health Division, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
- 3Vaccine Uptake Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- 4The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- 5Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle Australia, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
- 6Flinders University, Darwin, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
- 7Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia.
- 8Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia.
Abstract
Introduction
Childhood vaccination is a highly cost-effective public health strategy, yet routine immunisation rates have declined yearly across Australia since the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Survey instruments used to understand drivers of vaccination have not been developed with or validated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and may not reflect their lived experiences or priorities. This study aimed to understand factors shaping access to and acceptance of childhood vaccination from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family perspectives to inform targeted strategies and potential culturally appropriate survey tools.Methods
Family focus groups were conducted in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales and the Northern Territory with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers of children aged 5 years and under. Indigenous social and research yarning methods were used to explore families' views and experiences of childhood vaccination. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis led by Aboriginal researchers to ensure cultural integrity and uphold Indigenous data governance principles.Results
Families participating in the study generally expressed support for routine childhood vaccination as a way of protecting children. Negative experiences and misinformation during COVID-19 increased concerns about adult vaccines, while participants generally remained supportive of routine childhood vaccination. Findings are presented across four key domains: (i) vaccine knowledge and information sources, participants wanted clearer, culturally relevant information explaining the diseases and how vaccines work in plain English and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages; (ii) vaccine decision-making, trust was strengthened through cultural connection, continuity of care and respectful communication with healthcare workers; (iii) access barriers, including restricted clinic hours, inflexible booking systems, miscommunication and transport difficulties; and (iv) strategies to improve access, including reminder and recall systems, outreach services and transport support.Conclusions
Families described a range of structural and health service barriers that made childhood vaccination harder to access, highlighting that childhood vaccination coverage is shaped by more than attitudes towards vaccines. Improving childhood immunisation coverage requires culturally grounded communication that puts families at the centre, builds trust with healthcare providers and addresses structural access barriers.
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BibTeX
@article{taylor2026strategies,
title = {{Strategies to strengthen childhood vaccination uptake: a qualitative study exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families' perspectives.}},
author = {Kylie Taylor and Elizabeth Joyce Harwood and Katrina Clark and Gregoriana Parker and Bianca F Middleton and Caitlin Kent and Kelly McCrory and Jessica Kaufman and Margie Danchin and David N Durrheim and Marita Hefler and Kristy Crooks},
journal = {BMJ public health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjph-2026-005896},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921199},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Strategies to strengthen childhood vaccination uptake: a qualitative study exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families' perspectives.
AU - Kylie Taylor
AU - Elizabeth Joyce Harwood
AU - Katrina Clark
AU - Gregoriana Parker
AU - Bianca F Middleton
AU - Caitlin Kent
AU - Kelly McCrory
AU - Jessica Kaufman
AU - Margie Danchin
AU - David N Durrheim
AU - Marita Hefler
AU - Kristy Crooks
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - BMJ public health
DO - 10.1136/bmjph-2026-005896
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42921199
AB - Introduction Childhood vaccination is a highly cost-effective public health strategy, yet routine immunisation rates have declined yearly across Australia since the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Survey instruments used to understand drivers of vaccination have not been developed with or validated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and may not reflect their lived experiences or priorities. This study aimed to understand factors shaping access to and acceptance of childhood vaccination from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family perspectives to inform targeted strategies and potential culturally appropriate survey tools.Methods Family focus groups were conducted in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales and the Northern Territory with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers of children aged 5 years and under. Indigenous social and research yarning methods were used to explore families' views and experiences of childhood vaccination. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis led by Aboriginal researchers to ensure cultural integrity and uphold Indigenous data governance principles.Results Families participating in the study generally expressed support for routine childhood vaccination as a way of protecting children. Negative experiences and misinformation during COVID-19 increased concerns about adult vaccines, while participants generally remained supportive of routine childhood vaccination. Findings are presented across four key domains: (i) vaccine knowledge and information sources, participants wanted clearer, culturally relevant information explaining the diseases and how vaccines work in plain English and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages; (ii) vaccine decision-making, trust was strengthened through cultural connection, continuity of care and respectful communication with healthcare workers; (iii) access barriers, including restricted clinic hours, inflexible booking systems, miscommunication and transport difficulties; and (iv) strategies to improve access, including reminder and recall systems, outreach services and transport support.Conclusions Families described a range of structural and health service barriers that made childhood vaccination harder to access, highlighting that childhood vaccination coverage is shaped by more than attitudes towards vaccines. Improving childhood immunisation coverage requires culturally grounded communication that puts families at the centre, builds trust with healthcare providers and addresses structural access barriers.
SN - 2753-4294
ER -