Factors influencing refugees' willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines in Greater Sydney: a qualitative study.

Mahimbo, A; Kang, M; Sestakova, L; Smith, M; Dawson, A

Factors influencing refugees' willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines in Greater Sydney: a qualitative study.

Mahimbo, A

Kang, M

Sestakova, L Smith, M Dawson, A

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Publisher:: Wiley Open Access
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2022, 46, (4), pp. 502-510
Issue Date:: 2022-08

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Mahimbo, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2058-6881
dc.contributor.author	Kang, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9438-2518
dc.contributor.author	Sestakova, L
dc.contributor.author	Smith, M
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-2202
dc.date.accessioned	2022-10-07T04:02:43Z
dc.date.available	2022-03-01
dc.date.available	2022-10-07T04:02:43Z
dc.date.issued	2022-08
dc.identifier.citation	Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2022, 46, (4), pp. 502-510
dc.identifier.issn	1326-0200
dc.identifier.issn	1753-6405
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/162388
dc.description.abstract	OBJECTIVES: Achieving high vaccination coverage is a critical strategy to reducing the spread of COVID-19 infection. This study, undertaken before the Delta variant outbreak, aimed to understand potential drivers and barriers influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake for refugees. METHODS: Four focus group interviews were conducted with 37 refugees from four language groups (Arabic, Dari, Dinka and Karen). Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines was associated with participants' perceptions of disease severity, and benefits such as increased immunity against COVID-19 disease and prevention of the spread of the disease. Cues for increasing individual willingness to get vaccinated included obtaining information from trusted sources and community engagement. By contrast, information gaps on vaccines compounded by misinformation on social media contributed to a reluctance to be vaccinated. CONCLUSION: As this study was conducted before the Delta variant outbreak, participants' stance on COVID-19 vaccines may have changed. However, addressing vaccine literacy needs for this group remains an on-going priority. Health promotion initiatives must be tailored to the different socio-cultural contexts of each community. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Engagement with refugee populations is critical for optimising access and uptake of vaccines to protect health, prevent death and ensure that control of the pandemic is equitable. This may also provide valuable public health lessons for other marginalised populations.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Wiley Open Access
dc.relation	NSW Ministry of Health
dc.relation.ispartof	Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/1753-6405.13252
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1402 Applied Economics, 1605 Policy and Administration
dc.subject.classification	Public Health
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19 Vaccines
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Refugees
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Vaccination
dc.subject.mesh	Vaccines
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19 Vaccines
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Refugees
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Vaccination
dc.subject.mesh	Vaccines
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Vaccines
dc.subject.mesh	Vaccination
dc.subject.mesh	Refugees
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19 Vaccines
dc.title	Factors influencing refugees' willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines in Greater Sydney: a qualitative study.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	46
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1402 Applied Economics
utslib.for	1605 Policy and Administration
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-10-07T04:02:41Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	46
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: Achieving high vaccination coverage is a critical strategy to reducing the spread of COVID-19 infection. This study, undertaken before the Delta variant outbreak, aimed to understand potential drivers and barriers influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake for refugees. METHODS: Four focus group interviews were conducted with 37 refugees from four language groups (Arabic, Dari, Dinka and Karen). Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines was associated with participants' perceptions of disease severity, and benefits such as increased immunity against COVID-19 disease and prevention of the spread of the disease. Cues for increasing individual willingness to get vaccinated included obtaining information from trusted sources and community engagement. By contrast, information gaps on vaccines compounded by misinformation on social media contributed to a reluctance to be vaccinated. CONCLUSION: As this study was conducted before the Delta variant outbreak, participants' stance on COVID-19 vaccines may have changed. However, addressing vaccine literacy needs for this group remains an on-going priority. Health promotion initiatives must be tailored to the different socio-cultural contexts of each community. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Engagement with refugee populations is critical for optimising access and uptake of vaccines to protect health, prevent death and ensure that control of the pandemic is equitable. This may also provide valuable public health lessons for other marginalised populations.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/162388