Vaccine hesitancy among Ukrainian refugees

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a significant refugee influx into Italy.
• Ukraine has a history of low vaccination coverage and epidemic outbreaks.
• Understanding the vaccination status and attitudes of Ukrainian refugees is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the characteristics of Ukrainian child refugees accessing a vaccination center in Italy.
• To assess the attitudes of these refugees towards recommended vaccinations.
• To identify barriers to vaccination acceptance in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to July 2022.
• Included 79 Ukrainian refugees under 18 years old.
• Vaccination status was assessed using certificates or antibody titers; proposed vaccinations based on the Italian schedule were recorded as accepted or refused.

Main Results:

• The study included 79 Ukrainian refugees (51.9% female, average age 7.11 years).
• Human papillomavirus (HPV), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and serogroup C meningococcal (Men C) vaccines were most frequently refused.
• Age significantly influenced acceptance rates for Men C and chickenpox vaccinations.

Conclusions:

• Despite comprehensive care and free vaccination offers, a significant portion of Ukrainian refugees did not accept recommended immunizations.
• Further strategies are needed to improve vaccination uptake among refugee children.
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy and access barriers is essential for preventing infectious disease outbreaks in this population.