Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst refugees in Australia

Belinda J. Liddell; Stephanie Murphy; Vicki Mau; Richard Bryant; Meaghan O’Donnell; Tadgh McMahon; Angela Nickerson

doi:10.1080/20008198.2021.1997173

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst refugees in Australia

Belinda J. Liddell, Stephanie Murphy, Vicki Mau, Richard Bryant, Meaghan O’Donnell, Tadgh McMahon, Angela Nickerson

College of Medicine and Public Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

30 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Refugees may be especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of COVID-19. Therefore it is critical that refugee communities are supported to access COVID-19 vaccines and for public health responses to address vaccine hesitancy.

Objective: To investigate the key demographic factors, barriers and attitudes associated with vaccine hesitancy in a community sample of refugees.

Method: Participants in the Refugee Adjustment Study, a cohort of refugees living in Australia, were invited to complete a survey about their COVID-19 vaccine intentions, barriers to access and attitudes relating to the vaccine.

Results: Of the 516 participants, 88% were unvaccinated and 28.1% were classed as vaccine hesitant. Key predictors of vaccine hesitancy were younger age, information and trust barriers, lower logistical barriers, and attitudes relating to low control and risk posed by COVID-19.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that public health strategies need to address trust, control and risk perception attitudes to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in resettled refugee communities.

Original language	English
Article number	1997173
Number of pages	4
Journal	European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Volume	12
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1997173
Publication status	Published - 2021

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

attitudes
barriers
COVID-19
hesitancy
refugee
vaccine

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10.1080/20008198.2021.1997173Licence: CC BY-NC

Final published versionFinal published version, 924 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

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title = "Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst refugees in Australia",

abstract = "Background: Refugees may be especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of COVID-19. Therefore it is critical that refugee communities are supported to access COVID-19 vaccines and for public health responses to address vaccine hesitancy. Objective: To investigate the key demographic factors, barriers and attitudes associated with vaccine hesitancy in a community sample of refugees. Method: Participants in the Refugee Adjustment Study, a cohort of refugees living in Australia, were invited to complete a survey about their COVID-19 vaccine intentions, barriers to access and attitudes relating to the vaccine. Results: Of the 516 participants, 88% were unvaccinated and 28.1% were classed as vaccine hesitant. Key predictors of vaccine hesitancy were younger age, information and trust barriers, lower logistical barriers, and attitudes relating to low control and risk posed by COVID-19. Conclusions: Findings suggest that public health strategies need to address trust, control and risk perception attitudes to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in resettled refugee communities.",

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T1 - Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst refugees in Australia

AU - Liddell, Belinda J.

AU - Murphy, Stephanie

AU - Mau, Vicki

AU - Bryant, Richard

AU - O’Donnell, Meaghan

AU - McMahon, Tadgh

AU - Nickerson, Angela

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Background: Refugees may be especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of COVID-19. Therefore it is critical that refugee communities are supported to access COVID-19 vaccines and for public health responses to address vaccine hesitancy. Objective: To investigate the key demographic factors, barriers and attitudes associated with vaccine hesitancy in a community sample of refugees. Method: Participants in the Refugee Adjustment Study, a cohort of refugees living in Australia, were invited to complete a survey about their COVID-19 vaccine intentions, barriers to access and attitudes relating to the vaccine. Results: Of the 516 participants, 88% were unvaccinated and 28.1% were classed as vaccine hesitant. Key predictors of vaccine hesitancy were younger age, information and trust barriers, lower logistical barriers, and attitudes relating to low control and risk posed by COVID-19. Conclusions: Findings suggest that public health strategies need to address trust, control and risk perception attitudes to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in resettled refugee communities.

AB - Background: Refugees may be especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of COVID-19. Therefore it is critical that refugee communities are supported to access COVID-19 vaccines and for public health responses to address vaccine hesitancy. Objective: To investigate the key demographic factors, barriers and attitudes associated with vaccine hesitancy in a community sample of refugees. Method: Participants in the Refugee Adjustment Study, a cohort of refugees living in Australia, were invited to complete a survey about their COVID-19 vaccine intentions, barriers to access and attitudes relating to the vaccine. Results: Of the 516 participants, 88% were unvaccinated and 28.1% were classed as vaccine hesitant. Key predictors of vaccine hesitancy were younger age, information and trust barriers, lower logistical barriers, and attitudes relating to low control and risk posed by COVID-19. Conclusions: Findings suggest that public health strategies need to address trust, control and risk perception attitudes to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in resettled refugee communities.

KW - attitudes

KW - barriers

KW - COVID-19

KW - hesitancy

KW - refugee

KW - vaccine

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IS - 1

M1 - 1997173

ER -

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst refugees in Australia

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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