The Australian government has several times now vowed to improve Covid-19 vaccination rates within indigenous communities, but has come in for severe criticism for leaving measures too late.

The vaccination rate right now for indigenous Australians is little over half what it is for the entire population.

In the past few weeks, communities in rural, western New South Wales have been severely impacted by outbreaks of Covid-19.

At least two Aboriginal elders have died with the virus. Many live in areas without access to decent healthcare.

Worldwatch's Max Towle spoke to Dr Vanessa Lee-Ahmat, a social epidemiologist who specialises in Indigenous health at the University of Sydney.

Her people are of the Yupungathiand Meriam Nation. She says colonial history bears some responsibility.