Communications

Social media is a primary source of information for much of the US public, especially youth and young adults. This includes people in refugee, immigrant and migrant (RIM) communities who may not utilize traditional media sources that are not published in their language.

Immunization rates are lower among refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities due to factors which include limited culturally and linguistic appropriate information, knowledge and beliefs about a disease and vaccine, and challenges accessing healthcare (related to cost, transportation, medical system complexity/unfamiliarity, lack of welcoming environment, etc.). Vaccine hesitancy is a significant hurdle to ending the COVID-19 pandemic and getting back to eve

What is a variant?

Viruses are always changing.  When a big change happens, scientists call it a new variant. Some variants disappear and never cause harm, while others can make a virus easier to spread, harder to treat, and/or more deadly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the COVID-19 vaccination for everyone age 12 years old and older. The Pfizer vaccine is available for people ages 12 years old and older while the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines are available for people ages 18 years old and older. Currently, there is no vaccine that has been approved for use for children under the age of 12 years old.

As COVID-19 continues to disproportionately impact refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities, it is vital that linguistically and culturally appropriate messaging created by and from the community is accessible. Recognizing the need to reach individuals with real-time, tailored messaging about COVID-19, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Boise is creating hyperlocal, rapidly produced videos.

In the COVID-19 response, some vaccination sites are challenged to vaccinate large numbers of refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) community members due to misconceptions surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine, language barriers, confusion about the registration and administration process, and awareness of existing services. Ensuring access to accurate vaccine facts and information about vaccination sites and the process is critical for these communities.

A key component of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is misinformation and disinformation about vaccine safety that is combined with fear and uncertainty about side effects. Hearing from known and trusted people about their vaccine experience is useful in decreasing fear and increasing acceptance.

The availability of accurate COVID-19 information that is culturally- and linguistically relevant is essential to keeping communities safe. Refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities experience numerous challenges to successful COVID-19 vaccination, many of which stem from a different understanding of COVID-19 and vaccines, especially as it applies within their community, as well as a well-founded lack of trust in governmental organizations and systems.

To respond effectively to COVID-19 and to longstanding health inequities made worse by the pandemic, it is essential to leverage community strengths and trusted community networks.

Refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities experience numerous challenges to successful vaccination efforts, many of which stem from concerns about COVID-19 and vaccines, especially as it applies within their community, as well as a well-founded lack of trust in governmental organizations and systems. Common questions from RIM communities about the COVID-19 vaccine include:

Many refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) community members experience significant cultural, linguistic, and logistical barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Accessing the COVID-19 vaccine presents several challenges, including digital literacy, transportation, and navigating unfamiliar vaccination sites. But even more importantly, before a community member seeks out a COVID-19 vaccine, there may remain lingering questions and concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

As public interest and questions about COVID-19 vaccines continue to grow, community members are looking to their trusted sources to get accurate and reliable information about the vaccines. Especially for refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities, well-established, linguistically relevant media outlets are critical sources to access the most up-to-date guidance.

The availability of accurate COVID-19 information that is culturally- and linguistically-appropriate is essential to keeping communities safe. Likewise, it is also important to provide information via channels that community members actively use and trust.  

The availability of accurate COVID-19 information that is culturally and linguistically appropriate is essential to keeping communities safe. However, there are currently many communication challenges for refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. Language barriers, time restraints, and having patients isolated from their families has resulted in a communication gap between patients, families, and health providers.

The availability of accurate COVID-19 information that is culturally and linguistically appropriate is essential to keeping communities safe. Likewise, it is also vital to provide information via channels that community members actively use and trust.

The availability of accurate COVID-19 information that is culturally- and linguistically-relevant is essential to keeping communities safe. Messages change rapidly and some health departments may face challenges with developing health messaging that reaches all communities, particularly refugees, immigrants, and migrants (RIM). 

The availability of accurate COVID-19 information that is culturally- and linguistically-relevant is essential to keeping communities safe. Messages change rapidly, and some health departments may face challenges with developing health messaging that reaches all communities, particularly refugees, immigrants, and migrants. 

The availability of accurate COVID-19 information that is culturally- and linguistically-appropriate is essential to keeping communities safe. Likewise, it is also important to provide information via channels that community members actively use and trust.  

In the COVID-19 response, some sites are reporting challenges in reaching large numbers of refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) community members to disseminate consistent health messaging and awareness of existing services.