COVID-19 vaccine barriers among pregnant and lactating refugee women: a case study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pregnant and lactating refugee women rank among the groups least likely to vaccinate against COVID-19. This qualitative study explores their reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Methods

Between June 2023 and January 2024, cultural health navigators (CHNs) employed by one hospital system conducted in- depth interviews with COVID-19 vaccine-hesitant pregnant and lactating refugee women from five language groups (Arabic, Burmese, Kinyarwanda, Somali, and Swahili). The team also conducted in-depth interviews and a focus group with the five CHNs to further understand community-level factors influencing refugee women's vaccine hesitancy. All qualitative data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Participants expressed fear of long-term hea

SUBMITTER: Williams E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12279790 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature