An exploration of COVID-19 vaccination models for newcomer refugees and immigrants in Calgary, Canada

Abstract

Background The World Health Organization stresses the need for tailored COVID-19 models of vaccination to meet the needs of diverse populations and ultimately reach high rates of vaccination. However, little evidence exists on how COVID-19 models of vaccination operated in the novel context of the pandemic, how vulnerable populations, such as refugees, experience COVID-19 vaccination systems in high-income countries, and what lessons may be learned from vaccination efforts with vulnerable populations. To address this gap, this study explored COVID-19 vaccine delivery models available to newcomer refugees and immigrants, and refugee experiences across different COVID-19 vaccine delivery models in Calgary, Canada, and surrounding area in 2021 and 2022, to understand the barriers, strengths, and strategies of models to support access to COVID-19 vaccination for newcomer refugees and immigrants. Methods Researchers conducted structured interviews with Government Assisted Refugees (n = 39), and semi-structured interviews with Privately Sponsored Refugees (n = 6), private refugee sponsors (n = 3), and stakeholders involved in vaccination systems (n = 13) in 2022. Thematic analysis was conducted to draw out themes related to barriers, strengths, and strategies of vaccine delivery models and the intersections with patient experiences. Results Newcomer refugee and immigrant focused vaccination models and strategies were explored. They demonstrated how partnerships between organizations, multi-pronged approaches, and culturally responsive services were crucial to navigate ongoing and emergent factors, such as vaccine hesitancy, mandates, and other determinants of under-vaccination. Many vaccination models presented through interviews were not specific to refugees and included immigrants, temporary residents, ethnocultural community members, and other vulnerable populations in their design. Conclusions Increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake for newcomer refugees and immigrants, is complex and requires trust, ongoing information provision, and local partnerships to address ongoing and emerging factors. Three key policy implications were drawn. First, findings demonstrated the need for flexible funding to offer outreach, translation, cultural interpretation, and to meet the basic needs of patients prior to engaging in vaccinations. Second, the research showed that embedding culturally responsive strategies within services ensures community needs are met. Finally, collaborating with partners that reflect the diverse needs of communities is crucial for the success of any health efforts serving newcomers.

Public health partnerships with faith-based organizations to support vaccination uptake among minoritized communities: A scoping review

“…Our study has answered the call for evidence-informed approaches, in collaboration with faith-based communities that narrow vaccine delivery equity gaps among ethnoracially minoritized communities [ 23 ]. The review addresses a knowledge gap on the use of faith-based partnerships to improve equitable vaccine distribution among various low vaccine uptake communities, including zero-dose children [ 208 , 209 ], migrant populations [ 183 ], newcomers and refugees [ 210 ], and rural communities [ 211 ]. FBOs provided PHAs the tools (i.e., faith-based frameworks) to engage and network with communities in rural, remote, or conflict-ridden regions of the world where CBOs and PHAs previously had difficulty accessing vaccines, demonstrating FBOs’ potential impact on equitable vaccine delivery [ 187 , 212 ].…”