We sought to investigate the information sources migrants used to learn about COVID-19 vaccines and barriers that they faced in accessing official information.

 

Seventeen adults living in Australia and born in the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Region participated in a semi-structured interview via telephone between December 2021 and February 2022.

 

A variety of sources including official, social media and personal networks and experiential were used to learn about the vaccines. They emphasised the importance of personal networks and the reliability of the information collected from experiencing or witnessing COVID-19 vaccine outcomes. Unmet language needs, methods of dissemination, and mistrust in official sources of information were reported barriers to accessing official information. To overcome barriers, participants suggested improving the quality and timeliness of language support, using diverse modes of dissemination, working with members of migrant communities, providing opportunities for two-way communication, communicating uncertainty, and building a broader foundation of trust.

 

Davoud is an epidemiologist with an interest in evidence-based disease prevention and control programs. His research examines the effectiveness and acceptability of disease prevention and control programs and strategies. He has worked for more than 12 years in the areas of primary health care delivery and disease prevention and control program management.

 

Davoud has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and supervised Higher Degree by Research scholars. Davoud’s current work focuses on improving migrants’ health.