COVID-19 vaccine decision-making tools are now available in five new languages: Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Greek. The tools can be accessed online and viewed on any device.
There are two decision aids available: 1) for adults and adolescents aged 16 years and over and 2) for parents of children aged 5 to 15 years.
Through five simple steps, the COVID-19 vaccine decision aids offer information about SARS-CoV-2 and the available COVID-19 vaccines to help people weigh up the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for themselves and their children.
The tools were developed by Dr Jane Frawley from the University of Technology Sydney and a group of public health researchers, social scientists and clinicians using the best available research about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. The tools, hosted on the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website, have been reviewed by technical staff at NCIRS and will be updated as new evidence becomes available.
"We are incredibly excited to offer these COVID-19 vaccine decision aids in different languages to help more communities access information on the benefits and side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines. The resources can be used in a consultation with a healthcare provider or at home. We hope that the tools can help remove language barriers between healthcare providers and families," Dr Frawley said.
"With booster vaccination rates for adults and two-dose coverage for children sitting lower than expected, these decision aids may be a welcome conversation starter for families who have questions about COVID-19 vaccination. People can use these tools to share thoughts with healthcare providers or other family members to help their decision making," said Associate Professor Frank Beard, Associate Director, Surveillance, Coverage, Evaluation and Social Science, NCIRS.
"Doctors, immunisation providers and other healthcare professionals are encouraged to use these tools with patients to answer questions and to initiate open conversations about COVID-19 vaccination and disease," he added.
"Decision aids are resources that help people make complex medical decisions. They compare the risks associated with getting the disease with the risks associated with the vaccine side-by-side. Discussing risk is important, as it helps people see how the risks stack up and make decisions based on evidence. It is also a good way to answer any lingering questions people may have about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines," Dr Frawley added.
Access the decision aids here:
COVID-19 decision aid (5-15 years)
COVID-19 decision aid (16+ years)
