Addressing Barriers to Vaccine Uptake Among Immigrant/Refugee Communities in Pennsylvania   

As social workers who work directly with the subpopulation of immigrants and refugees that may be “vaccine hesitant,” we have an ethical responsibility to educate and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. There are several ways in which social workers can support them, including: providing accurate data in a comprehensible language and format, validating and addressing vaccine hesitancy, connecting individuals to vaccine resources, addressing logistical barriers to vaccine sites, advocating for equitable access, and offering a space for emotional support.