Abstract
In 2019, the World Health Organization listed vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to global health (1). Vaccination hesitancy became especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys had shown that COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy varied across countries, and across population groups within a country, depending on education, employment, or ethnic minority status (2). In Denmark, the COVID-19 infection rates and vaccination coverage was lower in areas with many residents having ethnic minority background (3). However, no qualitative studies have explored the perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination in ethnic minority communities to help understand the reasons behind the low vaccination rate. Therefore, this study aimed to explore COVID-19 vaccination perceptions in Arabic-speaking minorities in Denmark.
Sixteen individuals, varying by age, gender, education, employment, health, and vaccination status were interviewed. Content analysis of the interview transcripts showed that the majority had some knowledge about how vaccines work to prevent infections. Moreover, a wide spectrum of opinions towards COVID-19 vaccines and Danish vaccination policies was expressed. Notably, COVID-19 vaccination issues were intensively discussed in Arabic-speaking gatherings, where agreements were rarely reached, and many people felt confused or took vaccines only for practical considerations. Due to language barriers, some participants experienced difficulties understanding vaccination-related information in electronic invitations and vaccination centers, and usually, it was family members who helped with translations.
In conclusion, systematic efforts in translating and disseminating COVID-19 vaccine information are needed to support ethnic minority people in making informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination.
1. WHO. Ten threats to global health in 2019. 2022. Accessed 15.09.2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019.
2. Cascini F, Pantovic A, Al-Ajlouni Y, Failla G, Ricciardi W. Attitudes, acceptance and hesitancy among the general population worldwide to receive the COVID-19 vaccines and their contributing factors: A systematic review. EClinicalMedicine. 2021;40:101113.
3. European Comission. Denmark: Special efforts for COVID-19 vaccination in areas with ethnic minority residents. 2021. Acessed 16.09.2022. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/denmark-special-efforts-covid-19-vaccination-areas-ethnic-minority-residents_en.
Sixteen individuals, varying by age, gender, education, employment, health, and vaccination status were interviewed. Content analysis of the interview transcripts showed that the majority had some knowledge about how vaccines work to prevent infections. Moreover, a wide spectrum of opinions towards COVID-19 vaccines and Danish vaccination policies was expressed. Notably, COVID-19 vaccination issues were intensively discussed in Arabic-speaking gatherings, where agreements were rarely reached, and many people felt confused or took vaccines only for practical considerations. Due to language barriers, some participants experienced difficulties understanding vaccination-related information in electronic invitations and vaccination centers, and usually, it was family members who helped with translations.
In conclusion, systematic efforts in translating and disseminating COVID-19 vaccine information are needed to support ethnic minority people in making informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination.
1. WHO. Ten threats to global health in 2019. 2022. Accessed 15.09.2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019.
2. Cascini F, Pantovic A, Al-Ajlouni Y, Failla G, Ricciardi W. Attitudes, acceptance and hesitancy among the general population worldwide to receive the COVID-19 vaccines and their contributing factors: A systematic review. EClinicalMedicine. 2021;40:101113.
3. European Comission. Denmark: Special efforts for COVID-19 vaccination in areas with ethnic minority residents. 2021. Acessed 16.09.2022. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/denmark-special-efforts-covid-19-vaccination-areas-ethnic-minority-residents_en.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication date | 29 Jun 2023 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Jun 2023 |
| Event | European Drug Utilization Research Group (EuroDURG) Conference 2023 - Sustainability of drug use: equity and innovation - University of Bologna , Bologna, Italy Duration: 27 Jun 2023 → 30 Jun 2023 https://eventi.unibo.it/eurodurg2023 |
Conference
| Conference | European Drug Utilization Research Group (EuroDURG) Conference 2023 - Sustainability of drug use: equity and innovation |
|---|---|
| Location | University of Bologna |
| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Bologna |
| Period | 27/06/2023 → 30/06/2023 |
| Internet address |