Addressing vaccine hesitancy in First Nations communities Western Queensland PHN’s Jibber Jabber campaign Western Queensland Primary Health Network
“We wanted to focus more on ensuring people have access to the right information first before making a decision about the vaccine, so that patients are armed with all the facts and are clear about what getting the vaccine means for them, their family and the community.”
With vaccination as the main line of defence
confused with the messages they were receiving
against COVID-19, reports of vaccine hesitancy
from media, social media and other sources.
among vulnerable populations in rural and remote
The ‘Jibber Jabber’ campaign encourages
Queensland were concerning. To address this,
people to ignore the ‘Jibber’, defined as foolish
Western Queensland Primary Health Network
or worthless talk, and instead talk to a ‘Jabber’,
(WQPHN) who is responsible for facilitating
being someone who administers a COVID vaccine
the COVID vaccine roll-out in selected outback
jab. The face of the campaign is Mount Isa doctor,
populations in Western Queensland, spearheaded
Dr Marjad Page.
the ‘Jibber Jabber’ to raise awareness about
The campaign features a TV commercial
the importance of getting accurate information
with Dr Page encouraging people to come and
about vaccines from reliable sources.
see a ‘Jabber’ like him to discuss the vaccine.
While vaccine uptake among the general
‘Through this media campaign we were
population has been good, WQPHN’s Aboriginal
encouraging our First Nations communities to
and Torres Strait Islander health partners shared
have a yarn with their local health clinic, be it
anecdotal reports of persisting vaccine hesitancy,
an Aboriginal Health Worker, regular GP or other
with people concerned about the side effects and
practice staff in community. The concern for
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The Health Advocate • NOVEMBER 2021
