Background Migrants’ access to healthcare services is limited. This study aimed to identify health system barriers to vaccination, specifically HPV/MMR vaccination among children in Ukrainian economic migrants (UMs). Methods Between December 2021–March 2022, a qualitative study of UMs living in Poland was conducted. Six focus groups were held with 53 UMs aged 15–45; in-depth interviews with 12 healthcare workers (HCWs) were also performed. A thematic analysis was conducted based on the six WHO health system building blocks. Results HCWs described gaps in integrating migrant status in accessible healthcare data which impeded active management of vaccination procedures. UMs reported that the digitization of healthcare services, intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced their access to primary care. Inadequate health information systems caused problems with the provision of credible vaccine information in translated forms, and language difficulties, experienced by both UMs and HCWs; this was enhanced by a lack of professional interpreting services. Although most UMs reported vaccinating children according to the Polish schedule, the variations in schedules across countries caused concern among UMs and increased HCWs’ uncertainty about how to interpret vaccination cards, particularly in the context of possible false certificates. UMs were affected by discrimination through HCWs. HPV was deprioritized by UMs due to misconceptions about non-mandatory vaccinations; the cost was also a barrier. Conclusions The study findings have implications for migrant vaccination delivery targeting children in Poland, and other UMs receiving countries. A concerted effort is required to improve UM’s awareness of the significance of vaccinations. Barriers to healthcare access must be recognized by policymakers. Importantly, removing the cost barrier may increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine among Ukrainian migrant adolescents.

To support high school students to develop knowledge they need to adhere to control measures during the pandemic, a peer-based educational intervention on SARS-CoV-2 was developed and its impact was evaluated. Multistage random sampling was used. The 50 min peer-based intervention was conducted by final year medical students. Baseline and post-intervention knowledge and attitudes were assessed. Significance was tested by McNemar’s/Wilcoxon rank tests. Of 518 participants (mean age 17.8 years ± 0.43), 81.0% did not receive any school-based education on SARS-CoV-2. After intervention, the knowledge score improved from 65.2% to 81.6%, attitudes from 63.2% to 70.8% (both p < 0.0001). The effect size after the intervention compared to pre-intervention showed moderate improvement of knowledge, but not attitudes (d = 0.46 and d = 0.18, respectively). Pre- and post-intervention, females, students in non-science programs, living in cities < 250,000 inhabitants had lower knowledge, while fewer males, non-science program students, living in smaller cities presented positive attitudes. Before intervention, 67.0% students correctly named SARS-CoV-2 preventive methods and 73.6% were concerned COVID-19 is a serious disease; these improved after intervention (to 80.1% and 86.3%; p < 0.0001). The intervention was not very successful in increasing the intent to vaccinate for COVID-19 (pre-intervention 52.9%, post-intervention 56.4%; p < 0.007). Peer-based teaching for high school students can be effective in increasing SARS-CoV-2 knowledge and awareness. More efforts are needed to improve attitudes and enhance acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination of healthcare professionals (HCPs) can effectively prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in patients. However, some HCPs remain vaccine-hesitant. This study aimed to assess beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccination and their impact on immunization practice among medical hospital staff and students. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to October 2024 in Lubuskie province, Poland, involving staff from 7 randomly selected hospitals and medical students of the University of Zielona Góra who completed a self-administered, anonymous online questionnaire. Respondents were divided into 4 groups based on their beliefs about the pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccination. Of 256 participants (70.3% female; 70.7% aged ≤30 years, 53.9% hospital staff, 46.1% medical students), 65.2% reported having positive beliefs toward COVID-19 vaccination; 36% indicated that the COVID-19 vaccine’s development was too rapid compared with traditional vaccines. Most participants received 3 or 4 doses (44.3% and 18.4%, respectively), while 29.1% received 2 doses, and the remaining 8.2% received 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine; 4.8% did not receive any dose. Those with pro-vaccination views had a higher socioeconomic status ( P = .02). The relationship between the intensity of pro-vaccination beliefs and vaccination was statistically significant (in groups with positive views, vaccination with any dose was reported by 100%; in moderately negative views, 92%; and in negative views, 84%; P = .0001). Concerns regarding the rapid development of vaccines were significantly associated with cluster group type ( P < .0001) and the number of vaccines respondents believed were developed too quickly ( P < .0001). The results reveal a significant proportion of HCPs/medical students with negative beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines, which are not only correlated with but also predictive of vaccination status. The need to continually improve their training strategies should be underscored. Providing sufficient opportunities to inquire about vaccine safety/efficacy, along with expert-backed information on randomized controlled trials, could influence beliefs and potentially improve vaccination rates.