From the Guidelines
Addressing vaccine hesitancy in immigrant communities requires a multifaceted approach that incorporates culturally sensitive communication, trust-building, and accessible information, as evidenced by the importance of guiding styles and avoiding confrontation in vaccine discussions 1. To effectively address vaccine hesitancy, healthcare providers should employ a guiding style, characterized by open-ended questions, active listening, and empathy, rather than a directing style that may come across as confrontational or dismissive 1. This approach is crucial in building trust with immigrant communities, where historical experiences and cultural beliefs may contribute to vaccine hesitancy.
Key strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy in immigrant communities include:
- Partnering with trusted community leaders and organizations to deliver accurate vaccine information in appropriate languages
- Developing educational materials that address specific concerns common in immigrant communities, such as fears about immigration status or cultural beliefs about healthcare
- Removing practical barriers to vaccination, such as offering flexible hours, transportation assistance, and eliminating documentation requirements that might deter undocumented immigrants
- Training healthcare workers in cultural competency to communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse populations
By acknowledging the complex factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy and addressing both informational needs and structural barriers, healthcare systems can build trust and increase vaccine acceptance in immigrant communities, as supported by the principles of motivational interviewing and the importance of perseverance in vaccine discussions 1.
From the Research
Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy in Immigrant Communities
Vaccine hesitancy in immigrant communities is a complex issue that can be addressed through various strategies. The following points highlight some of the key factors and approaches to consider:
- Vaccine hesitancy among immigrant communities is often associated with fears and misinformation about vaccine harms, limited knowledge of preventable diseases and vaccines, distrust of host countries' health systems, language barriers, and perceived incompatibility between vaccine uptake and migrants' religion 2.
- Immigrant populations, including Somalis and Poles, have shown hesitancy towards measles, influenza, and human papillomavirus vaccines 2, 3.
- Barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines among migrant communities include concerns over vaccine content, side-effects, lack of accessible information, lack of trust in the health system, and low perceived need 4.
- Undocumented migrants may face unique barriers, such as fears of being charged or facing immigration checks if they present for a vaccine, highlighting the need for clear and accessible information about entitlement and access points 4.
Strategies to Promote Equity in Vaccine Uptake
Several strategies can be employed to promote equity in vaccine uptake among immigrant communities:
- Using trusted leaders and direct communication styles to educate about COVID-19 vaccines 5.
- Coalescing broad engagement of the community and being responsive to language and cultural needs 5.
- Overcoming multiple obstacles that affect ease of access, such as conflicts between work and clinic hours, and providing alternative access points to primary care services 4, 5.
- Implementing community-based interventions, monetary incentives, and technology-based health literacy programs to increase vaccination uptake 6.
Key Considerations
When addressing vaccine hesitancy in immigrant communities, it is essential to consider the following:
- The need for tailored information campaigns, co-produced and delivered by trusted sources within marginalized migrant communities 4.
- The importance of building on existing, trusted, culturally intelligent community-based organizations and local sociocultural processes to promote vaccine uptake and population health equity 5.
- The requirement for a multidimensional approach involving community members, families, and individuals to address vaccine hesitancy 6.