118 Learning for the future pandemic preparedness planning: exploring the information-seeking behaviour about COVID-19 vaccines among migrants in Australia

Sep 30, 2026

Study focused on how EMRO-born migrants in Australia seek information about COVID-19 vaccines to inform future pandemic preparedness planning. Using an explanatory mixed-method design, the research combined an online survey and telephone semi-structured interviews. Survey results (n=300) showed reliance on government sources and a preference for Email/SMS, along with reported ease of access and ability to distinguish misinformation. Interviews highlighted that information sources depended on perceived needs, access capacity, and trust; distrust in official sources increased difficulty accepting uncertainty. Conclusions emphasize tailored, migrant-responsive health communications to improve timely, equitable access and trust.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

vi22 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 interviews between December 2021 and February 2022 . The qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The survey participants’ mean age was 41.4±11.8 years, and 52% were male. Around 70% reported that the Australian government was among their main sources of information, and 37% preferred receiving information via Email or SMS. Around 70% agreed that they can easily access the information they need, feel included in government communications, and can distinguish between fake and good information. Around 60% agreed they could access information in their language, while approximately 50% of respondents indicated they had difficulty understanding vaccine information. Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that the information sources used depended on their perceived need, their informationgathering capacity, ease of access and trust in sources. Lack of trust in official sources made it more difficult to accept uncertainty. Sources of information favoured included community networksand personal experience. Conclusion: To ensure equitable and timely access to health information during health crises, health communications should be tailored to migrants’ needs, preferences and information-gathering capacity. Such communication should be practised in all aspects of health, not only during public health crises, to improve trust in official sources. Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.062 118 Learning for the future pandemic preparedness planning: exploring the information-seeking behaviour about COVID-19 vaccines among migrants in Australia Davoud Pourmarzi1, Petya Fitzpatrick1, Merryn McKinnon2, Stephen Lambert1 1National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia 2National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia OP 2: Determinants of Health Disease and Interventions 4, B210 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 14:30-15:30 Aim: This study aimed to explore information-seeking behaviour about COVID-19 vaccines among Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) born migrants in Australia to guide future pandemic preparedness planning. Methods: With an explanatory mixed-method approach, we employed an online survey followed by telephone semi-structured interviews. Survey and interviews were advertised through migrantsspecific organisations’ websites and social media posts, and Facebook advertisements. The survey collected data on sociodemographics, sources of information, preferred communication channelsand information-gathering capacity from 300 individuals between September and November 2021 . Seventeen adults participated in

FAQs

What was the study aim regarding COVID-19 vaccine information?

To explore information-seeking behaviour about COVID-19 vaccines among EMRO-born migrants in Australia to guide future pandemic preparedness planning.

What methods were used to gather and analyze data?

An explanatory mixed-method approach combined an online survey with telephone semi-structured interviews. Qualitative interview transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

What factors influenced the choice of information sources?

Information sources depended on perceived need, information-gathering capacity, ease of access, and trust in sources.

What communication approach does the study recommend?

Health communications during crises should be tailored to migrants’ needs, preferences, and information-gathering capacity, and should build trust in official sources across health communications, not only during crises.

Sep 30, 2026

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