Young people create videos to reduce vaccine hesitancy
Young people from various culturally and linguistic diverse (CALD) communities in the Geelong region have come together to create their own videos to urge their peers to follow their lead and get vaccinated.
Marwa, Mustafa, Mutheinchri and Michael have created their own videos to talk about their experience with COVID-19 and vaccination.
A number of the young people featured in the videos attended the Barwon South West Public Health Unit (BSWPHU) translated vaccine hesitancy information sessions and received their vaccination at the pop-up clinics at the Diversitat hub.
The videos, which were initiated by Diversitat and funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, were scripted and filmed by the young people who were able to put their own thoughts and feelings on film.
The videos have been sent to their communities across Victoria to encourage their peers to get vaccinated to get back to a normal life.
Diversitat CEO, Joy Leggo, said the videos were a wonderful example of how the time spent working with CALD communities to inform and support them throughout the pandemic can result in increased confidence.
"These young people have all engaged with Diversitat and Barwon Health in some way, and it's so rewarding to see them take control and talk about their experience. We often forget how COVID-19 has affected young people, so it is great to see them passionate about vaccination and getting back to a normal life."
Mustafa from the Geelong Afghan community was feeling unsure about vaccination but after attending one of Barwon Health’s vaccination hesitancy Q&A sessions with Professor Eugene Athan, he felt more confident knowing he was doing the right thing,
“When the vaccines were introduced there were many people talking about it, and conspiracies and I was a little hesitant. But I said to myself what would happen if I didn’t get the vaccine and something bad happened to me. So I started researching and attended a few of Barwon Health’s vaccine sessions and those things eased my mind and everything was clear and I got the vaccine,” he says.
Mustafa, who only arrived in Australia from India a few days before the pandemic is keen to get back to a normal life and explore the country better,
“I came from India to Australia a few days before the pandemic hit, and right after our arrival the lockdowns started and we didn’t get any time to look around and get introduced to our community and everyone around us. Coming from a busy place like India to a place where no one was around was quite challenging and hard to deal with.”
“I don’t think I made the wrong decision because it will bring everything back to normal and we will be able to do everything we wanted to do.”
To make a booking for a vaccination, or booster vaccination phone 1800 675 398.
WATCH VIDEOS BELOW:
- Arabic – Marwa
- Dari – Mustafa
- Karen – Mutheinchri
- Swahili – Michael
PHOTO: (L-R) Mutheinchri, Marwa, Mustafa, Michael.