Grant: Operating Grant: Improved Immunization Coverage Initiative - Recent newcomers

Recent outbreaks of diseases, such as measles, that can be prevented through vaccination are of concern to both the public and health agencies. These events have emphasized the need to improve immunization to reduce adverse health effects and provide protection for everyone. We know that new immigrants and refugees may be at risk of getting vaccine preventable diseases because they may not be immunized and may be more vulnerable to disease. We also know that women are particularly vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases, especially when they are pregnant. However, our knowledge of actual immunization rates and factors affecting immunization decision-making for these populations in Canada is limited. The goal of this research is to protect and improve the health of immigrant and refugee women of child-bearing years and their children through an evidence based understanding of the factors associated with immunization access and uptake, thus facilitating higher immunization rates. We will do this through developing a better understanding of what immigrant and refugee women know and understand about infectious diseases and vaccines, how they make decisions about immunization for themselves and their children, and how these decisions are affected by cultural perspectives. This information will be used to develop risk messages that are specific for different kinds of peoples and can help them to make better informed decisions on immunization. We also hope to find ways of monitoring immunization coverage and inequalities in vaccine access and uptake in immigrant populations. Although this research is being conducted in Canada, it is part of an international initiative involving researchers from Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.