How to increase HPV vaccination uptake among Ukrainian parents: RIVER-EU project’s recommendations

Background

The Polish segment of the RIVER-EU project, a 5-year HORIZON 2020 research program, aimed to address health care-related vaccination barriers among Ukrainian migrants and refugees (UMR).

Objectives

To form recommendations on how to improve HPV vaccination uptake among UMR.

Methods

The project implemented transferability of previous effective HPV vaccination interventions to new target contexts. Interventions for the UMR community were identified, tailored, and implemented in collaboration with the stakeholders and community members. Lessons learned informed our recommendations.

Results

The following recommendations were informed. 1. Nothing can be achieved without trust: build and maintain trust over time through long-term presence and communication with UMR, supported by trusted intermediaries. 2. Build on research: assess barriers and factors facilitating vaccination deployment through focus group discussions with UMR parents on a deep, contextual level. 3. Involve Ukrainian GPs and health promoters: according to the UMR, they are the most trustworthy healthcare workers (HCWs). 4. Create a surgery dedicated to UMR, equipped with a vaccination point, with qualified medical staff who speak Ukrainian. 5. To plan a pro-vaccination intervention tailored to the needs of the UMR, bring together a variety of stakeholders — Ukrainian and Polish vaccination experts, GPs, and Ukrainian parents, especially mothers. 6. Educate Ukrainian parents on vaccinations through Ukrainian HCWs to eliminate distrust. Plan educational sessions on weekends. 7. Reward HCWs for their contributions to boosting vaccination coverage.

Conclusions

These recommendations can enable guidance users to make informed decisions about how best to work with UMR to enhance vaccination, understanding cultural differences and valuing equity.

Key messages

• Concise recommendations based on a research project can improve understanding of UMR community and support public health professionals in enhancing vaccination uptake among this vulnerable group.

• To form vaccination uptake guidelines based on a research project, pertinent adaptations are needed derived from collaborative discussions.