Supporting dialogue amongst multicultural communities: Exploring the role of vaccine champions

COVID-19 vaccination has significantly reduced the risk of severe disease. Yet, across many settings in Australia, there have been issues with equitable uptake, particularly for some people from ethnic minority backgrounds. To bridge this gap, training workshops were held to support the capacity of local community leaders to communicate about the COVID-19 booster vaccines and other recommended vaccines as local vaccine champions. This study aimed to explore participants' vaccine and communication knowledge and the acceptability and perceived usefulness of the Vaccine Champions Program.

The training included information about eligibility for the COVID-19 booster vaccines and the rationale for their continued use, information about other vaccines recommended for adults, as well as recommended travel vaccines. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted from July to December 2023. Attendees of the workshop were purposefully selected to identify as leaders of multicultural communities in Sydney, with expressions of interest being offered to all attendees to participate in the evaluation of the workshop through a semi structured interview. They contributed their insights on the development and implementation of the training workshop sessions, participants' views on becoming vaccine champions, and the improvements needed for future sessions.

Interviewees emphasised the importance of providing reliable information in the training to address vaccine hesitancy. They highlighted the significance of the training in boosting their confidence to promote and champion vaccination within their community, and suggested incorporating personal stories, testimonies, and interactive elements to enhance the training package. They expressed positive views on the program's continuation beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the importance of their knowledge of vaccines remaining current with research and adapting communication approaches.

Continued collaboration between community leaders and healthcare providers, ongoing training, and staying current with research are essential for ensuring the program's long-term sustainability, self-efficacy, and impact on public health outcomes.