Research

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Vaccination Indigenous health Health services
Volume 224 - Issue 7

Drivers of Vaccine Uptake for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children to Inform Tailored Strategies: A Qualitative Study Exploring Health Service Provider Perspective

Authors:  Bianca F. Middleton, Kristy Crooks, Kylie Taylor, Elizabeth Harwood, Katrina K. Clark, Caitlin Kent, Kelly McCrory, Marita Hefler, Jessica Kaufman, David N. Durrheim, Margie H. Danchin

Correspondence: bianca.middleton@menzies.edu.au

Med J Aust 2026 || doi: 10.5694/mja2.70233
Published online: 1 July 2026
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Abstract

Objectives 

To identify drivers of routine vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, from a health service provider perspective, to increase and maintain uptake.

Design

This qualitative study was designed, analysed and guided by Indigenous data sovereignty and governance principles. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Subcategories were refined using Miro (Miro Inc), an online collaboration platform. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worldviews were privileged, with Aboriginal researchers leading data analysis in New South Wales (NSW) and contributing to analysis in the Northern Territory (NT).

Setting

The study was conducted in NSW and the NT, Australia, with health service providers from urban, rural and remote settings.

Participants

Individual and group interviews were undertaken in person or online between 2 May and 28 August 2024, with 18 health service provider participants in the Hunter New England Local Health District in NSW and 17 health service provider participants in the NT.

Results

We identified six key themes addressing drivers of vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children for families (knowledge, attitudes and information sources; decision-making), health staff (workforce roles, responsibilities and relationships) and health services (improving access; health service operations; data for decision-making). Providers recommended strategies to improve uptake.

Conclusions

Health service providers in urban, rural and remote locations in Australia can provide valuable insights to inform tailored strategies to improve declining vaccine coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, aligned with the priorities of the National Immunisation Strategy 2025–2030.

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