A scoping review of literature exploring factors affecting vaccine uptake within Roma communities across Europe

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy is described by the WHO as one of the top threats to global health. The  trajectory of the current COVID-19 pandemic depends upon the vaccination of a global population;  therefore, barriers to routine vaccination within marginalized groups considered vaccine hesitant are of  critical importance. Consistently, vaccination levels within Roma communities across Europe rate very  poorly in comparison with general population coverage, and a number of measles and hepatitis  outbreaks over the past 10 years have included Roma communities. This study aims to identify barriers  to Roma vaccination in general with a view to informing analysis of potential low levels of vaccination within Roma communities for COVID-19. 

Areas covered: The research question explores factors and barriers affecting general vaccine  (non-COVID-19 vaccine)  uptake within Roma communities across Europe. This scoping review was conducted  using the Arksey & O’Malley framework, complying with PRISMA-SR for Scoping Review guidelines. 

Expert opinion: Using Thomson’s 5A’s Taxonomy, access was identified as the greatest barrier to  vaccination within Roma communities. Access factors had the greatest number of references in this  scoping review and were considered the most relevant in terms of increasing vaccination uptake.  Important access themes identified are health system issues, socioeconomic conditions, and mobility.