Risk Communication Needs for Immunization of Immigrant Populations: Process and Challenges in Developing an International Strategy

Recent outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases (such as measles) have underscored the urgent need to improve immunization rates internationally to reduce adverse health impacts and achieve herd immunity targets. ... [ view full abstract ]

Recent outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases (such as measles) have underscored the urgent need to improve immunization rates internationally to reduce adverse health impacts and achieve herd immunity targets. Concurrently, increasing globalization, international conflict and poverty are resulting in escalating levels of population mobility and immigration. New immigrants and refugees are often particularly susceptible to vaccine preventable diseases because they may be lacking adequate immunization and may be more vulnerable to disease. Vaccination decisions are influenced by both the receipt of adequate and appropriate information and risk perceptions (including potential harms from the disease and from the vaccine). Risk communication information and channels play a crucial role in how people comprehend and assess these competing risks and benefits, and how they make decisions on immunization.
An international team of risk communication and immunization experts was assembled to develop a transnational research strategy to improve immunization rates of recent immigrants through more effective risk communication, and to identify collaboration opportunities for advancement of knowledge in this area. The overall objectives of the strategy and collaboration are to: (1) understand the knowledge level and perceptions of immigrant populations on infectious disease immunity and vaccines; (2) understand the reasons behind immunization decisions made by immigrant populations for themselves and their families; (3) determine the effect of different cultural perspectives on immunization decisions; and (4) use this information to develop innovative and targeted risk communication strategies that promote informed decision making. Research projects are being developed in specific countries under the auspices of this international and integrated strategy. For example, New Zealand researchers are proposing to undertake research to determine immunization coverage and the burden of disease in children who migrated to the country when they were younger than 5 years of age, and among native-born infants whose mothers migrated to New Zealand within 3 years prior to their birth. In Canada, researchers are proposing an exploration of knowledge and perceptions of vaccines, as well as reasons for vaccination decisions, among newly arrived immigrants and refugees, and those who have lived in Canada for one to five years.
However, addressing a risk communication issue from an international perspective presents unique considerations. Challenges include funding, different country contexts and priorities, varying degrees of baseline information and coordinating collaboration activities across different geographies. The process of developing this transnational strategy and collaboration, and addressing obstacles, will be discussed.