He Pou Whirinaki (pillars of support). Elder indigenous New Zealand Maori narratives about influenza immunisation and the use of telehealth during the first COVID-19 lockdown

This paper describes issues, strengths and challenges experienced by elderly Maori accessing influenza vaccination, during the first Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. We also obtained views about the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, and the social restrictions of lockdown. A sampling frame of four Maori elders speaking on behalf of themselves and their communities in Northland was recruited from health sector network connections and interviews were undertaken and recorded. The rich narratives highlighted an awareness of the generational impact of illness and vaccination and concern about the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations. Despite initial fear about COVID-19, communities described 'safety and comfort' from 'lockdown' creating community resilience and marae, hapu and iwi making major contributions to local crisis response. The well-developed views of these Maori kaumatua about influenza, vaccination and COVID-19 occurred within an environment of contrasting health beliefs and trust/distrust about government and Pakeha-led health services. There was support for the style and content of local health services and recognition and that Pakeha-led health services can be effective when complemented by traditional Maori health values approaches and beliefs. We also noted that the lockdown provided opportunities for these elders to adapt to new technology within a health context.