10.O. Scientific session: Breaking Barriers: Advancing Vaccine Access for Newly Arrived Migrants in Europe
Authors:   Organised by: Prolepsis Institute (Greece), Italian National Health Institute (Italy),   Chair persons: Pania Karnaki (Greece), Silvia Declich (Italy)
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Health disparities are particularly evident in Europe among Newly Arrived Migrants (NAM), in accessing healthcare systems and navigating vaccination services. The AcToVax4NAM project emerged as a pioneering initiative aimed at identifying solutions to overcome system barriers, following a life-course approach. These solutions consist of a broader strategy to promote organisational vaccination literacy and enhance vaccine uptake among NAM. Employing a participatory approach, the project engaged with professionals FOR health (PFH) and ΝΑΜ to ensure the relevancy of the practices developed, along with the widespread acceptance of proposed solutions and tools tackling access to vaccination services. This workshop is not just about showcasing the outcomes and impact of the AcToVax4NAM project; it’s about equipping PFH with practical tools and strategies that are immediately applicable and will ultimately increase vaccine literacy and uptake. By delving into the challenges encountered, strategies employed, and recommendations formulated, the workshop offers invaluable insights for professionals seeking to address similar issues in their respective contexts. We believe that by sharing our experiences and best practices, we can empower others to make a real difference in their communities. The workshop will contain 5 presentations that follow the functional structure of the project, starting with a presentation on the General Conceptual Framework, the foundational element guiding project activities. Following this, we will discuss the development of a migrant-centered and migrant-sensitive tool aimed at improving the communication skills of PFH by providing definitions of vaccine-related terms in an easily digestible way. The third presentation will detail the development of action-oriented flowcharts across consortium countries validated through focus group discussions with PFH; the flowcharts are linked to a comprehensive repository of 359 tools. The workshop will then explore the consortium’s efforts in providing vaccine literacy and cultural competency training to more than 200 healthcare professionals. Finally, the outcomes of the pilots implemented in consortium countries will be presented, and recommendations will be made that summarize the evidence-based accumulation of improved access to vaccinations for NAM and, consequently, increase vaccine uptake. This workshop fosters dialogue among stakeholders and showcases collaborative efforts to promote vaccination literacy and uptake among NAMs in Europe. Sharing experiences and best practices empowers PFH to address similar challenges in their communities, offering insights into effective strategies for improving healthcare access and promoting health equity. Finally, insights from the presentations and discussions can inform evidence-based policymaking and shape the development of immunization public health strategies at the local, national, and European levels, inspiring real change in communities.

Key messages
• Equipping Professionals for Health with strategies to Enhance Vaccine Access for Newly Arrived Migrants.
• Equity through Collaborative Efforts in Promoting Vaccination among Newly Arrived Migrants.