Professor (Immunology) / Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Pacific) University of Otago Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
Introduction/Rationale: Significant health inequities exist for Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. Towards the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was shown that Māori and Pacific peoples were also at risk of being disproportionately impacted and affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This understanding contributed towards helping inform COVID-19 prevention, vaccination, management and treatment efforts. Initial lockdown measures adopted across Aotearoa New Zealand, helped block earlier variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevent widespread infection whilst trying to obtain COVID-19 vaccines and support national vaccination efforts at the time. Aggressive efforts to spread misinformation and disinformation associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 vaccines globally were widespread. The Immunology focus pertaining to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 vaccines became of strong interest to many.
Methods: The purpose of this work was to appropriately contextualise the Immunology focus for an online gathering held for a Pacific audience, that included opportunity for Talanoa discussion. The appropriate scientific communication of the immunological aspects for the audience was achieved by adapting the Talanoa approach to the online setting. Talanoa sessions would normally be held in person, however due to the pandemic, gatherings of this sort could only occur online.
Results: Significant work was undertaken to organise and appropriately contextualise the scientific content being shared for the online session, in an effort to prevent exacerbation of pre-existing health inequities for Pacific peoples. Those involved in this particular setting demonstrated engagement with the scientific content presented, articulated understanding, and offered positive feedback with respect to the information shared.
Conclusion: This highlighted the usefulness and relevance of this type of approach for contextualisation and effective supporting science communication with an Immunology focus in the online setting using Talanoa.
