Vaccination rates for those accessing mental health or addiction services are lagging behind the rest of New Zealand. 

Total New Zealand vaccination rates are high, with over 93% of the eligible population double vaccinated and one million people already having received a booster shot. 

However, January figures from the Ministry of Health indicate that mental health service users have full vaccination rates that are 9% lower than the general population, and rates amongst addiction service users are 19% lower.

The statistics also showed that Māori mental health service users have vaccination rates 17% lower than the general population, with addiction service user rates 26% lower. 

Hayden Wano, Chair of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission says that while overall figures are good, more needs to be done to support these groups. 

"We must be vigilant, nevertheless, to ensure that no one is left behind now that Omicron is in the community. There is evidence that some people who use specialist mental health services and addiction services are being left behind." 

"Māori providers and community-led initiatives have been hugely successful in reaching communities that health providers couldn't. However, the job is not yet done.” 

He says that problems with access, hesitancy and a lack of trust are contributing to lower vaccination rates. 

"We know that populations such as Māori and Pacific peoples regularly experience exclusion and racism. We know that these are factors in their mental health challenges. Vaccination is a wellbeing issue, and if these groups are again finding themselves outside the mainstream on vaccination and more vulnerable to COVID-19, then this is going to reduce their sense of wellbeing and their mental health.”

Wano says that targeted efforts of Māori and Pacific community providers as well as other service providers and churches, have contributed to a huge turnaround in rates of vaccination for Māori and Pacific communities. 

He says this kind of targeted approach is needs to be used for those mental distress or experience addiction, to ensure they have fair and timely access to the vaccination. 

"Only then, can we say that Aotearoa has done its best in ensuring that no one is being left behind."