The influence of HARP (The Health Access for Refugees’ Project) on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in Northern England
Background Evidence suggests that people who are asylum seekers and refugees experience poorer physical and mental health compared to the general UK population and poor outcomes from COVID-19 if unvaccinated. However, this population can experience vaccine hesitancy and other barriers inhibiting the...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Global Health Action |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2457808 |
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| author | Marie-Clare Balaam Melanie Haith-Cooper |
| author_facet | Marie-Clare Balaam Melanie Haith-Cooper |
| author_sort | Marie-Clare Balaam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Evidence suggests that people who are asylum seekers and refugees experience poorer physical and mental health compared to the general UK population and poor outcomes from COVID-19 if unvaccinated. However, this population can experience vaccine hesitancy and other barriers inhibiting their up-take of the COVID-19 vaccine. Objectives This study explored the influence of HARP (Health Access for Refugees’ Project) workshops on the intention to have the vaccine in people who are asylum-seekers and refugees. Methods A qualitative study including clients (asylum-seekers and refugees), volunteers and HARP staff was undertaken to explore perceptions of HARP workshops and their influence on the barriers to the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine including vaccine hesitancy. Semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with 10 participants, HARP clients (n = 1), HARP volunteers (n = 6, of whom 4 had been clients) and staff (n = 3). Data were thematically analysed. Results Intention to have the vaccine was influenced by trusted sources including peers and health professionals. Tailoring evidence-based information to individuals and challenging misinformation were important influencers on vaccine uptake. HARP activity increased the uptake of vaccines in large accommodation centres and hotels. Grassroots-level interventions such as HARP workshops appear to increase intention to take up the COVID-19 vaccine in asylum seeking and refugee communities. Conclusion This model could be adopted for health screening such as breast cancer and other vaccinations within asylum seeking and refugee communities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5419a84019644a339d49c16d688bcd74 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1654-9880 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
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| series | Global Health Action |
| spelling | doaj-art-5419a84019644a339d49c16d688bcd742025-02-05T12:46:15ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Health Action1654-98802025-12-0118110.1080/16549716.2025.24578082457808The influence of HARP (The Health Access for Refugees’ Project) on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in Northern EnglandMarie-Clare Balaam0Melanie Haith-Cooper1University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)University of BradfordBackground Evidence suggests that people who are asylum seekers and refugees experience poorer physical and mental health compared to the general UK population and poor outcomes from COVID-19 if unvaccinated. However, this population can experience vaccine hesitancy and other barriers inhibiting their up-take of the COVID-19 vaccine. Objectives This study explored the influence of HARP (Health Access for Refugees’ Project) workshops on the intention to have the vaccine in people who are asylum-seekers and refugees. Methods A qualitative study including clients (asylum-seekers and refugees), volunteers and HARP staff was undertaken to explore perceptions of HARP workshops and their influence on the barriers to the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine including vaccine hesitancy. Semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with 10 participants, HARP clients (n = 1), HARP volunteers (n = 6, of whom 4 had been clients) and staff (n = 3). Data were thematically analysed. Results Intention to have the vaccine was influenced by trusted sources including peers and health professionals. Tailoring evidence-based information to individuals and challenging misinformation were important influencers on vaccine uptake. HARP activity increased the uptake of vaccines in large accommodation centres and hotels. Grassroots-level interventions such as HARP workshops appear to increase intention to take up the COVID-19 vaccine in asylum seeking and refugee communities. Conclusion This model could be adopted for health screening such as breast cancer and other vaccinations within asylum seeking and refugee communities.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2457808asylum seekers and refugeesvaccine hesitancycovid-19 vaccine uptakegrassroots interventionspublic healthpeer support |
| spellingShingle | Marie-Clare Balaam Melanie Haith-Cooper The influence of HARP (The Health Access for Refugees’ Project) on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in Northern England Global Health Action asylum seekers and refugees vaccine hesitancy covid-19 vaccine uptake grassroots interventions public health peer support |
| title | The influence of HARP (The Health Access for Refugees’ Project) on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in Northern England |
| title_full | The influence of HARP (The Health Access for Refugees’ Project) on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in Northern England |
| title_fullStr | The influence of HARP (The Health Access for Refugees’ Project) on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in Northern England |
| title_full_unstemmed | The influence of HARP (The Health Access for Refugees’ Project) on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in Northern England |
| title_short | The influence of HARP (The Health Access for Refugees’ Project) on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in Northern England |
| title_sort | influence of harp the health access for refugees project on vaccine hesitancy in people seeking asylum and refugees in northern england |
| topic | asylum seekers and refugees vaccine hesitancy covid-19 vaccine uptake grassroots interventions public health peer support |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2457808 |
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