Access, acceptability, and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among global migrants: A rapid review.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a rapid review and determine the acceptability, access, and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among global migrants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rapid review was conducted May 2022 capturing data collected from April 2020 to May 2022. Eight databases were searched: PubMed, Ovid Medline, EMBase, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, LILACS, and the Web of Science. The keywords "migrants" AND COVID-19" AND "vaccine" were matched with terms in MeSH. Peer-reviewed articles in English, French, Portuguese, or French were included if they focused on COVID-19 immunization acceptability, access, or uptake among global migrants. Two independent reviewers selected and extracted data. Extracted data was synthesized in a table of key characteristics and summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The search returned 1,186 articles. Ten articles met inclusion criteria. All authors reported data on the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine, two on access, and one on uptake. Eight articles used quantitative designs and two studies were qualitative. Overall, global migrants had low acceptability and uptake, and faced challenges in accessing the COVID-19 vaccine, including technological issues. CONCLUSIONS: This rapid review provides a global overview of the access, acceptability, and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among global migrants. Recommendations for practice, policy, and future research to increase access, acceptability, and uptake of vaccinations are discussed.

Scoping Review on Barriers and Challenges to Pediatric Immunization Uptake among Migrants: Health Inequalities in Italy, 2003 to Mid-2023.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, asylum seekers, refugees, and foreign-born migrants are more likely to suffer from physical, mental, and socioeconomic consequences owing to their existing vulnerabilities and worsening conditions in refugee camps around the world. In this scenario, the education of migrants and newcomers about immunization is critical to achieving health equity worldwide. Globally, it is unclear whether government vaccination policies are prioritizing the health information needs of migrants. We searched for studies investigating the vaccination uptake of migrant children settled in Italy that were published between January 2003 and 25 June 2023. Following Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage method for scoping reviews, all potentially relevant literature published in English was retrieved from SciSearch, Medline, and Embase. This search resulted in 88 research articles, 25 of which met our inclusion criteria. Our findings indicate unequal access to vaccination due to a lack of available information in the native language of the immigrants' country of origin, vaccine safety concerns or lack of awareness, logistical difficulties, and fear of legal consequences. The findings strongly encourage further government and political discourse to ensure migrants have fair, equitable, ethical, and timely access to essential medicines.