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This article examines the role of participatory, reflective, and creative methods in developing interventions with healthcare professionals (HCPs) to effectively address vaccine hesitancy. By actively involving HCPs in the intervention process, participatory methods foster engagement and commitment, enhancing the implementation of effective strategies. Reflective practices encourage critical thinking and self-assessment, enabling HCPs to examine their communication styles and beliefs regarding vaccination. Additionally, creative methods, such as interactive workshops and visual aids, offer innovative ways to convey complex information and stimulate dialogue among HCPs. These methods provide HCPs with practical insights and tools to navigate challenging conversations with vaccine-hesitant individuals, ultimately promoting vaccine acceptance and uptake. The Portuguese case study underscores the importance of tailoring interventions to the specific needs and contexts of HCPs. This article advocates for the widespread adoption of participatory, reflective, and creative methods in developing interventions to address vaccine hesitancy among HCPs. By leveraging these approaches, interventions can empower HCPs with the necessary skills and confidence to effectively communicate the importance of vaccination and address concerns within their communities.

Abstract Background Following UK approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines on 2/12/20 and 30/12/20 respectively, discussions about them emerged on the social media platform Twitter, (now ‘X’). Previous research has shown that Twitter/ X is used by the UK public to engage with public health announcements and that social media influences public opinions of vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, globally. This study explored discussions on Twitter posted in response to the UK government’s posts introducing the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. The aim was to investigate vaccine hesitant views, and thereby identify barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the UK. Methods Online ethnography was used to collect responses (‘tweet replies’) to 14 Twitter posts published by officials or departments of the UK government on the dates the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (2/12/20 and 30/12/20, respectively). 16,508 responses were collected and those expressing vaccine hesitancy were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Three themes that underpinned Twitter posters’ vaccine hesitancy were identified: (1) Concerns about vaccine development and safety, (2) Information, misinformation and disinformation, (3) Distrust: Politics and ‘Big Pharma’. From these themes, eight barriers and eight facilitators to UK COVID-19 vaccine uptake were identified. Conclusion This paper highlights key obstacles to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the UK based on views from Twitter and contributes to the emerging literature on the relationship between social media and the public response to COVID-19 vaccines. In so doing, this analysis offers insights that are useful for the development of vaccine communication strategies more broadly, both in and beyond future pandemics, to ensure that public concerns are addressed, and misinformation and disinformation are appropriately countered.

Refusals and delay in receiving COVID-19 vaccines due to vaccine hesitancy present major barriers to optimal vaccine uptake and thus epidemic control, with crisis-affected populations facing additional challenges. International Medical Corps conducted a cross-sectional survey to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding COVID-19 and identify determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among 413 healthcare workers (HCW) working at 90 national primary healthcare centers in Lebanon, just prior to widespread vaccine rollout. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of vaccine acceptance using the health belief Model. More than half (56.9%) of HCWs were categorized as being vaccine-hesitant, while 43.1% reported they would receive a vaccine when available. Perceived benefits, cues to action, and social norms were positively associated with vaccine acceptance. More than half (56.4%) believed the national health system was not capable of ensuring safe administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Targeted interventions that emphasize the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, highlight cues to vaccinate, and promote vaccination as a social norm are critical in motivating HCWs to get vaccinated. Increasing HCW trust in Lebanon’s national health system is critical to building confidence toward COVID-19 vaccines and has implications for the success of future responses to infectious disease outbreaks.

The health-care workers (HCWs) were one of the vulnerable populations prioritized during the COVID-19 vaccination (COVISHIELD and COVAXIN) campaign. We aimed to estimate vaccine hesitancy and explore influencing factors among 238 HCWs in 21 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) across Hyderabad during June and July 2021. We used a semi-structured questionnaire and the SAGE determinants of vaccine hesitancy to determine factors underlying vaccine hesitancy and acceptance. A thematic framework was developed to unpack the factors that shaped the perceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine. We found a 17% hesitancy rate, primarily due to concerns about “vaccine-safety.” HCWs were susceptible to misinformation, potentially shaping their views on COVID-19 vaccines. Despite regulatory approval, one in six HCWs in Hyderabad’s UPHCs delayed or refused vaccinations, citing limited “vaccine-safety” information. This underscores the urgent need to address HCW vaccine hesitancy early, given its potential impact on general vaccine acceptance.

Abstract Background This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence and characteristics of parental vaccine hesitancy towards routine infant immunizations and COVID-19 vaccines in Japan. Methods A web-based survey was conducted among 3,227 parents of children aged 0–11 years to assess vaccine-related hesitancy for routine infant immunizations and COVID-19 vaccines for children using the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) questionnaire. Data were collected from January 18 to 25, 2023. Covariates included demographic characteristics, economic status, COVID-19 infection status, decisional conflict scale, and the fear of COVID-19 Scale. Results Vaccine hesitancy was found to be 52.4% for routine infant immunizations and 73% for COVID-19 vaccines. Significant differences in parental attitudes were observed between general childhood vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines for 12 out of 13 PACV survey items. The COVID-19 vaccines showed higher hesitancy rates in 10 items; largest discrepancies were noticed in schedule adherence (22.5% vs 61%), overall hesitancy (40% vs 55.1%), and trust in pediatric doctors (37.2% vs 53.6%). Safety concerns were high for both vaccine types, exceeding 50%. Multivariable analysis identified decisional conflict (RR: 1.01 95% CI: 1.00–1.02) and COVID-19-related fear (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.05) as hesitancy predictors for routine immunizations. Conclusion Vaccine-related hesitancy for COVID-19 was significantly higher than that for routine immunizations, with decisional conflict emerging as a primary predictor for both. Fear of COVID-19 was associated with routine immunization-related hesitancy. These findings provide critical insights for future pandemic preparedness and vaccine acceptance strategies, highlighting the importance of strengthening trust between healthcare providers and parents, providing clear and reliable information, and implementing decision support tools.

Abstract Background Black people are disproportionately affected by structural and social determinants of health, resulting in greater risks of exposure to and deaths from COVID-19. Structural and social determinants of health feed vaccine hesitancy and worsen health disparities. Objective This scoping review explored interventions that have been employed to address vaccine hesitancy among Black population outside of African and Caribbean countries. This review provides several strategies for addressing this deep-rooted public health problem. Methods The scoping review followed the five-step framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley. It complies with reporting guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Research studies that examined interventions utilized to promote vaccine confidence within Black populations living outside of African and Caribbean countries were reviewed. Findings A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria for this study: 17 were quantitative studies and three were mixed-method studies. This scoping review highlighted six themes: educational advancement, messaging, multi-component approaches, outreach efforts, enhancing healthcare access, and healthcare provider leadership. Conclusion The review identified effective interventions for addressing vaccine hesitancy among Black populations outside Africa and the Caribbean, emphasizing education, multidimensional approaches, and healthcare provider recommendations. It calls for more qualitative research and interventions in countries like Canada and the UK to enhance vaccine confidence and reduce mistrust.

Abstract This article uses postcolonial theory to examine optimal risk communication practices of new risks and scientific information to non-indigenous communities. The article calls on risk communication scholars and health practitioners to embrace postcolonial theory as it provides a critical and reflective framework to examine ontological beliefs and methodological and structural aspects in the communication of public health messages. The article draws on insight from three studies on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy within Scotland’s African, Caribbean, and Black communities between March 2021 and April 2022. The article offers new insight into why some communities hesitate to respond to public health messages such as vaccine uptake advice. Therefore, risk communication scholars should use the postcolonial lens to examine their assumptions, thinking, and perspectives on communicating new science and risk information in emergencies. Postcolonial theory enables risk communication scholars to address power imbalances, representation, and inclusion challenges in public health communication and trust-building efforts.

At 63.7 million, Latinxs constitute the largest racial/ethnic minority in the United States (US). Early during the COVID-19 pandemic, Latinxs were disproportionately impacted and exhibited lower vaccine uptake. Widespread infodemics contributed to confusion, eroded trust, and fostered vaccine hesitancy among this population. This study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach to analyze, integrate, and interpret concurrently collected data gathered as part of the Community Engaged Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities project, initiated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Target populations were three underserved Latinx communities of Miami-Dade County (MDC), Florida, during the pandemic’s peak. Qualitative findings show six themes and subthemes that integrate with quantitative survey data (N = 451). Themes included a “wait-and-see” approach to vaccine uptake; concerns about infodemics; attitudes about science, education, healthcare providers; and personal sources of information. Our findings highlight cultural significance, trusted sources, and reasons for hesitancy before vaccination decisions as corroborated by quantitative results. However, divergence was found regarding media sources. Consistent with the literature, although participants report concerns about infodemics and media bias, they still rely on media for updates, particularly with established television networks and trusted personalities. The value placed on education throughout the study (quantitative and qualitative) highlights the importance of culturally appropriate educational interventions. Moreover, the complex nature of the impact that media has on health-related information and vaccine uptake in this population underscores the need for media literacy interventions alongside health education.

Background: This pandemic has been accompanied by an overabundance of misinformation, ‘infodemic’ on a global scale. The objective of the study is to explore the attitude and hesitancy of rural versus urban adults (>18 years) towards the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 disease (COVID-19) vaccine. Methods: A community-based analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural and urban field practice area. Systematic random sampling technique was applied; face-to-face interview was conducted amongst 523 participants. The World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Expert on Immunisation (SAGE) questionnaire was used. Results: Amongst the total participants (n = 523), 274 participants were from rural area. Amongst the rural participants, majority of the participants were male 149 (54.4%), nearly 238 (86.9%) were married and 211 (77%) belonged to nuclear family. It was found from urban 94% of the participants and 53.6% from rural were reluctant to COVID-19 vaccine. One of the important factors which gives pressure and prevents them from get vaccinated were found to be stigma and it was more common in urban (66.6%) when compared to rural (13.9%) and the family members (16.1%) were another factor of participants for not taking the vaccine. Other reasons were side effects and fear death due to vaccine from urban and rural were 50%, 19.3% and 4.8%, 13.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Intense behaviour change interventions must focus on trust building through active community engagement, social mobilisation and transparent dissemination of vaccine-related information.

BackgroundVaccine hesitancy, delaying or refusing to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines, impedes the progress of achieving optimal HPV vaccine coverage. Little is known about the sources of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy among racially/ethnically and geographically diverse communities. The purpose of this paper is to explore HPV vaccine hesitancy among rural, Slavic, and Latino communities that reside in counties with low HPV vaccine uptake rates.MethodsKey informant interviews and focus groups were conducted with rural, Slavic, and Latino communities that reside within counties in California that have low HPV vaccine up to date rates (16-25%). Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis.ResultsA total of seven focus groups and 14 key informant interviews were conducted with 39 individuals from seven California counties. Salient themes that contributed to HPV vaccine hesitancy included the following: social media and the anti-vaccination movement; a strong belief in acquiring immunity naturally; prior vaccine experiences; and vaccine timing concerns. Participants suggested the provision of culturally appropriate, in-language, in-person easy to understand HPV vaccine education to mitigate HPV vaccine hesitancy.ConclusionsOur findings can inform future interventions to increase HPV vaccine uptake among hesitant communities.