Radio Brisvaani
Canberra, October 3 (MCCQ Newsdesk)
Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) CEO Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo participated in the National Immunisation Strategy Implementation Forum, providing insights and recommendations to improve access to immunisation and build trust among culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Drawing on FECCA’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mary Ann discussed challenges including language and literacy barriers, inconsistent access to qualified interpreters, and limited availability of translated health resources. She emphasised that the pandemic exposed the risks of poor translation and demonstrated the effectiveness of community-led, co-designed health messaging.
Mary Ann noted that many refugees and migrants remain unaware of routine health services, including immunisation, largely due to fragmented healthcare pathways. She added that for some families, actual or perceived costs, particularly for those with limited or no access to Medicare, create additional barriers to accessing preventative care such as vaccines.
FECCA recommended investing in navigation systems that help multicultural communities understand and access immunisation services. It also called for consistent, community-informed translations that provide culturally safe and accurate information in plain English. In addition, FECCA stressed the importance of supporting co-design campaigns delivered in partnership with local ethnic community organisations to build trust and provide credible, culturally relevant information.
By addressing these challenges, FECCA aims to ensure equitable access to immunisation for all Australians and strengthen the role of multicultural communities in promoting public health.
