Browsing by Author "Ness, Alyssa"

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    An exploration of COVID-19 vaccination models for newcomer refugees and immigrants in Calgary, Canada
    (2024-03-12) Aghajafari, Fariba; Wall, Laurent; Weightman, Amanda M.; Ness, Alyssa; Lake, Deidre; Anupindi, Krishna; Moorthi, Gayatri; Kuk, Bryan; Santana, Maria; Coakley, Annalee
    Abstract Background The World Health Organization stresses the need for tailored COVID-19 models of vaccination to meet the needs of diverse populations and ultimately reach high rates of vaccination. However, little evidence exists on how COVID-19 models of vaccination operated in the novel context of the pandemic, how vulnerable populations, such as refugees, experience COVID-19 vaccination systems in high-income countries, and what lessons may be learned from vaccination efforts with vulnerable populations. To address this gap, this study explored COVID-19 vaccine delivery models available to newcomer refugees and immigrants, and refugee experiences across different COVID-19 vaccine delivery models in Calgary, Canada, and surrounding area in 2021 and 2022, to understand the barriers, strengths, and strategies of models to support access to COVID-19 vaccination for newcomer refugees and immigrants. Methods Researchers conducted structured interviews with Government Assisted Refugees (n = 39), and semi-structured interviews with Privately Sponsored Refugees (n = 6), private refugee sponsors (n = 3), and stakeholders involved in vaccination systems (n = 13) in 2022. Thematic analysis was conducted to draw out themes related to barriers, strengths, and strategies of vaccine delivery models and the intersections with patient experiences. Results Newcomer refugee and immigrant focused vaccination models and strategies were explored. They demonstrated how partnerships between organizations, multi-pronged approaches, and culturally responsive services were crucial to navigate ongoing and emergent factors, such as vaccine hesitancy, mandates, and other determinants of under-vaccination. Many vaccination models presented through interviews were not specific to refugees and included immigrants, temporary residents, ethnocultural community members, and other vulnerable populations in their design. Conclusions Increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake for newcomer refugees and immigrants, is complex and requires trust, ongoing information provision, and local partnerships to address ongoing and emerging factors. Three key policy implications were drawn. First, findings demonstrated the need for flexible funding to offer outreach, translation, cultural interpretation, and to meet the basic needs of patients prior to engaging in vaccinations. Second, the research showed that embedding culturally responsive strategies within services ensures community needs are met. Finally, collaborating with partners that reflect the diverse needs of communities is crucial for the success of any health efforts serving newcomers.
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    Vaccination Navigation, Access, and Hesitancy Among Refugees in Calgary, AB: A Scoping Review Protocol
    (2022-08-07) Aghajafari, Fariba; Ness, Alyssa; McClurg, Caitlin; Wall, Laurent; Pooladi-Darvish, Arshya
    Background: The COVID-19 vaccines provide between 80—95% protection against the disease and to reach herd immunity, between 70-83% of the population needs to be vaccinated. Access, as well as hesitancy, to vaccine can affect reaching this target. Refugees and new immigrants are at higher risk of being infected with COVID-191,3, and they may have inequitable access to vaccine. To overcome the inequity to access vaccine and addressing hesitancy in refugees and new immigrants, various outreach programs have been implemented globally 2,3,4,5,6. Objectives: The aim of this scoping review is to explore the model of delivery of Covid-19 vaccination and other common infectious disease vaccinations in newcomers and refugee populations. Method: Articles will be included if they were published in the year 2000 or later, focused on vaccine or immunization delivery, programs, initiatives, or policies among refugees, immigrants, migrants, asylum seekers or newcomers; or addressed vaccine hesitancy; and occurred during epidemic or endemic times. Study designs included in this scoping review will be randomized controlled trials or observational studies. MEDLINE, Ovid Healthstar, OVID Embase, OVID Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Science Direct, Academic Search Complete, Google Scholar, Social Work Abstracts, and JSTOR databases were searched using controlled vocabulary terms and keywords for the following concepts: Covid-19 and major immunizations generally administered on a schedule, vaccines OR immunizations, refugees, asylum seekers, newcomers and immigrants. Grey literature was searched using Google’s site search feature for relevant news articles or social media, as well as non-government organization (NGO) and intergovernmental organization (IGO) websites for information specific to those organizations. Articles from academic databases will be exported to COVIDENCE followed by two rounds of screening, including the initial title/abstract review, followed by full text screening. Conflicts will be resolved by the Primary Investigator. Grey Literature will be collected in an excel spreadsheet and included to inform the background and discussion.