Vaccine Rollout for Refugees: Sweden’s Lessons Learned
A new study scrutinizes Sweden’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts among Ukrainian refugees, pinpointing vital areas for improvement during public health crises. The research, published in the journal *Medical Law Review*, offers crucial insights for future preparedness.
Gaps in Information and Access
Yana Litins’ka, an associate professor of public law at Lund University, conducted the research, interviewing 15 Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Sweden in 2022. She also reviewed around 500 government documents. The study reveals significant shortcomings in how vaccination information was delivered and how accessible it was.
Litins’ka explains that while information was provided upon arrival, the lack of follow-up created problems. Many refugees were still dealing with trauma and worries about loved ones back in Ukraine.
“The refugees testify that they received all the information as soon as they arrived in Sweden, but then there was silence. At a time when they were still traumatised and very worried about their loved ones left in Ukraine, it was difficult to absorb the information. If the information had been repeated and adapted to the situation, more people might have been vaccinated,”
—Yana Litins’ka, Associate Professor of Public Law
The research highlighted several key issues. Information wasn’t regularly repeated or easily accessible, even though it was available in multiple languages. Financial barriers also proved problematic. Moreover, difficulties in obtaining vaccination certificates presented administrative obstacles.
According to the World Health Organization, vaccine hesitancy, coupled with access barriers, remains a challenge globally. In 2023, it was estimated that around 10% of adults worldwide had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 (WHO Fact Sheet).
A Focus on Improvement
Litins’ka emphasizes that the study’s goal isn’t to criticize the Swedish authorities. Instead, it aims to strengthen future crisis management strategies. Providing regular, targeted information is one of the simplest yet most effective tools.
