increase font size
A new study from the University of Otago shows a visible urban/rural divide in Covid-19 vaccination rates.
According to a new study from the University of Otago, there was a visible rural/urban divide in Covid-19 vaccination rates.
The study, Rural-urban variation in COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Aotearoa New Zealand: Examining the national roll-out, sought to analyse vaccination uptake in rural versus urban settings during the peak period of New Zealand’s national vaccination roll-out in 2021.
The research found varying levels of vaccine uptake among different population groups. The study, published in Epidemiology and Infection, used a national dataset of 4.3 million health service users.
According to the study, at the national level, overall vaccination uptake in rural areas lagged most urban areas, with rural areas lagging behind their urban counterparts by 5-11% by December 2021.
However, the research found this gap is not as clear when also looking at vaccination rates in terms of ethnicity, age, and/or region.
While vaccination uptake among older people in rural areas largely reflected urban uptake, vaccination rates among younger people in rural areas tended to be lower than those of younger people in urban areas.
Talis Liepins, the lead author of the study and a PhD candidate in the University of Otago’s Department of General Practice and Rural Health, says the findings suggest opportunities for improvements in vaccination delivery models for rural and urban communities and further highlights the urban-rural divide in relation to equitable healthcare.
“It is important we advance general awareness around equity of access for rural populations and how health interactions for rural communities differ from urban communities,” says Liepins.
The researchers also found “considerable variance” in uptake between rural older and rural younger people; with the rural urban differences much more apparent in those aged less than 45 years.
Co-author, Professor Garry Nixon, head of rural section in the department of general practice and rural health, says that these differences, which were visible across population groups, suggest possible different barriers to access.
Funded by the Ministry of Health COVID-19 and National Immunisation Programme, the study is the first of three exploring the COVID- 19 vaccine rollout in rural Aotearoa New Zealand.
OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.
A marketing expert says it’s unlikely that the recent outbreak of avian influenza on an Otago poultry farm will have a significant impact on New Zealand’s trade relationships.
Keratin extracted from New Zealand wool could soon find its way into products used to minimise osteoporosis, promote gut health, and other anti-inflammatories, says Keraplast chief executive Howard Moore.
It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.
One of the country’s two largest supermarket chains is reporting that for the first time since the disruption of Covid, they have largely full supply on almost all fruit and vegetables grown locally.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
OPINION: If you believe Maori Party president John Tamihere’s claim that “nothing dodgy” occurred at Manurewa Marae during the last…
