Barriers to adult vaccination in Canada: A qualitative systematic review

Abstract

Background: In recent years, Canadian health care professionals have observed an increase in vaccine refusal. The objective of this study is to review published literature and identify the main themes related to vaccine hesitancy and barriers to vaccination in Canadian adults and recent immigrants. Methods: A qualitative systematic review was performed. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (1946 to January 2021) and EMBASE (1974 to January 2021) was conducted to identify existing literature that addressed the primary research question. Studies were eligible for inclusion if the study population involved 1) the general population, 2) Indigenous populations, 3) recent immigrants to Canada or 4) Canadian health care professionals. Results: Thirty-four studies were included with a focus on the general population ( n = 22), health care professionals ( n = 10) and recent immigrant populations ( n = 2). The most frequently reported barriers were lack of vaccine information (41%), lack of access to vaccination (38%), fear of adverse reactions (38%), financial reasons (29%), lack of awareness of vaccine existence (29%), antivaccine sentiments (24%), notion that older adults do not need vaccination (18%), misconceptions on vaccine effectiveness (12%), potential sexual health promotion stigma (6%) and fear of needles (3%). Interpretation: Barriers to vaccination among Canadians and recent immigrants continue to be a challenge in the health care system. Conclusions: The greatest yield in improving vaccination rates is likely to come from supporting vaccine-hesitant individuals in shifting their thinking to greater vaccine acceptance. Pharmacists are well positioned to address vaccine hesitancy and involvement through education, facilitation and administration of vaccines. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2022;155:xx-xx.

Understanding Prognostic Factors for Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: A Rural Community Case–Control Study

“…Lack of knowledge about the vaccination schedule also poses a barrier for them to access the catch-up option for funded vaccination. These results are similar to those of other studies [17][18][19] that illustrate noteworthy disparities in the initiation of HPV vaccination, influenced by factors such as ethnic background [51][52][53][54][55], parental attitudes [56], limited awareness [57,58], and financial constraints [59].…”

Human Papillomavirus vaccination practice and its associated factors among secondary school female students in Nekemte town, Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2022

“…Lack of information about the HPV vaccine, needle phobia and fear of side effects of the vaccine were among the main barriers to responding. The nding in the current study was similar to studies conducted in Nigeria and Canada (31,32). Qualitative study conducted in Colombia among school girls and their parents also con rmed that lack of information, fear of the adverse effects of the vaccine and fear of needles were reported (33).…”

Pharmacists’ readiness and willingness to vaccinate the public in United Arab Emirates community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study

“…Pharmacists are amongst the most accessible and trusted healthcare professionals in the community. [1][2][3] Community pharmacists are highly trained but possibly underutilised public health professionals. 4 Pharmacists in the UAE do mostly dispensing of medications as their main function.…”