Initial and Final Vaccination Rates: How Interventions Helped Close the Gap in the Māori Community COVID-19 Fund

1/4/2024

The relationship between the initial and final vaccination rates is one of the key indicators of the success of any intervention programme. In this evaluation of the Māori Community COVID-19 Fund (MCCF), the hypothesis was clear: while final rates would correlate with initial rates, the strength of that correlation would be weaker than perfect, demonstrating the effectiveness of the interventions. The data supported this hypothesis, showing that although initial rates had an impact, targeted interventions successfully reduced disparities.

The Numbers Behind the Shift

The analysis showed a strong positive correlation between initial and final vaccination rates, with a Pearson correlation of 0.851. This suggests that while the initial rates influenced the final outcomes, the correlation wasn’t perfect. A perfect correlation would have been 1, indicating no change, but the fact that the correlation was less than 0.9 suggests that interventions had a significant impact in reducing disparities. A t-statistic of 6.882 and Q-study variance of 33% further confirmed the success of these interventions. In simpler terms, the areas that started with the lowest vaccination rates still had the most significant improvements, but there were successful efforts to reduce the gaps between them and areas that were already ahead. Provider reports reinforced this, with flexible funding being highlighted as a key factor in addressing local barriers. This allowed providers to adapt their strategies based on the unique needs of each community, which proved crucial in reaching those who were most in need of support.

Provider Insights: Local Adaptation Made a Difference

Providers were able to confirm that the flexible funding played a key role in the success of the programme. With high reliability ratings (0.97) and strong factor loading (11.54), providers confirmed that the ability to adapt strategies to meet local needs was crucial. From reducing vaccine hesitancy to ensuring greater access to vaccination centres, the flexibility allowed providers to remove the barriers specific to their communities. The Q-study variance explained 33% of the impact, showing that providers consistently agreed on the effectiveness of the adaptive, community-led approach. This level of agreement highlighted the importance of giving local communities the tools they needed to implement changes in ways that worked for them.

What This Means for Future Programmes

The findings provide valuable lessons for future vaccination programmes. The ability to reduce disparities between areas with different starting points can be achieved through targeted resource allocation and adaptable approaches. The data confirms that initial vaccination rates were not the sole determinant of success—interventions played a critical role in driving change. By understanding the relationship between initial and final vaccination rates, future programme designs can better target areas where the most improvement is needed. Importantly, flexible funding is essential in allowing providers to adapt and meet local challenges head-on, ensuring the best outcomes for the communities they serve.

A Clear Path Forward

In conclusion, the evaluation of the Māori Community COVID-19 Fund demonstrates that targeted interventions can significantly reduce disparities in vaccination rates. While initial rates remain an important factor, the flexibility in how resources were allocated and interventions were delivered was key to making real progress. The success of the MCCF programme offers an excellent model for future health initiatives, showing that when we meet people where they are and provide the support they need, we can close gaps and create lasting change.