“They said we’re all in it together, but we were kind of separated”: barriers to access, and suggestions for improving access to official information about COVID-19 vaccines for migrants in Australia

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health measures to mitigate the burden of COVID-19 infection. Equitable access to information is necessary to ensure all members of society can make an informed decision about COVID-19 vaccines. We sought to investigate barriers that migrants living in Australia faced in accessing official information about COVID-19 vaccines and identify potential solutions. METHODS: This study used a descriptive qualitative study design. Seventeen adults living in Australia and born in the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Region participated in a semi-structured interview conducted via telephone. Participants were recruited using advertising through social media platforms. The interviews were conducted between December 2021 and February 2022. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. In this study official information was defined as information provided by Australian Health system. RESULTS: Barriers to accessing official information about COVID-19 vaccines were related to unmet language needs, methods of dissemination, and mistrust in official sources of information. To overcome barriers, participants suggested improving the quality and timeliness of language support, using diverse modes of dissemination, working with members of migrant communities, providing opportunities for two-way communication, communicating uncertainty, and building a broader foundation of trust. CONCLUSION: Information about COVID-19 vaccines during different stages of the vaccination program should be provided in migrants’ languages at the same time that it is available in English using a variety of methods for dissemination. The acceptability of official information can be improved by communicating uncertainty, acknowledging people’s concerns about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and providing opportunities for two-way communication. People’s trust in official sources of health information can be improved by working with migrant communities and recognising migrants’ contributions to society. The findings of this study may improve managing the response to COVID-19 and other health emergencies in Australia and in other similar societies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-023-15739-z.