Examining vaccine coverage among immigrant populations in Alberta, Canada and factors associated with vaccination
Abstract
Two studies were completed as a part of this Master’s thesis. Study 1: Human papillomavirus vaccine coverage among immigrant children in Alberta: a population-based cohort study concluded that overall, immigrant children in Alberta had higher HPV vaccination coverage in comparison to non-immigrants, which is encouraging given some previous literature has suggested the opposite. This implies that efforts to increase vaccination rates among immigrant children may be having a positive impact. Among immigrants, routine immunization promotion strategies should be targeted to those living in rural residences and from North America, Oceania, and South America, in order to improve HPV vaccination coverage in this group even further. Study 2: Study 2: COVID-19 vaccine coverage among immigrants and refugees in Alberta: A population-based cross-sectional study concluded that high COVID-19 vaccination coverage among immigrant populations in Alberta is an encouraging outcome. However, continued efforts are needed to target public health interventions towards older immigrants, immigrants living in rural areas, and immigrants from specific continental backgrounds in order to improve COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
Notes
Future research / gaps identified:
The database did not include other factors that could potentially impact vaccine uptake, such as education and healthcare access.
Integration timeline: not defined
Key recommendations:
1) Tailor vaccine promotion initiatives to immigrants from specific continents who have the lowest coverage rates.
2) Focus on increasing vaccine coverage for immigrants living in rural areas.
3) Create targeted vaccine promotion interventions for older immigrants above age 50.
Location: Alberta (province-wide population-based health data was analyzed)
Open access: Yes
Community organizations: n/a
Key findings:
Study 1:
1) From 2008 – 2018, HPV vaccine coverage was higher in immigrant children in Alberta (52.58%) compared to non-immigrant children (47.41%).
2) Immigrant children from Asia and Africa had the highest HPV vaccine coverage (57.09 – 64.14%).
3) Immigrant children from North America, Oceania, and South America had the lowest HPV vaccine coverage (38.30 – 44.96%).
4) Immigrant children living in rural areas had lower vaccine HPV vaccine coverage than non-immigrants (39.76% vs 45.05%).
Study 2:
1) COVID-19 vaccine coverage was 78.2% for immigrants in Alberta, and 76% for non-immigrants.
2) Immigrants from North America, Oceania, and Europe had the lowest COVID-19 vaccine coverage.
3) Immigrants living in rural areas had lower COVID-19 vaccine coverage compared to non-immigrants living in rural areas.
4) Immigrants below 50 years of age generally had significantly higher COVID-19 vaccine coverage compared to non-immigrants.
5) Immigrants above 50 years of age showed significantly lower COVID-19 vaccine coverage compared to non-immigrants of the same age.
Key populations:
Study 1: immigrant children in Alberta
Study 2: immigrants in general in Alberta