COVID-19 vaccination coverage and acceptability

Mexico faced significant obstacles in achieving COVID-19 vaccination coverage for migrants, particularly irregular migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. In other contexts, migrant vaccination coverage has been influenced by prioritization policies, identification requirements, and various sociodemographic, migratory, and health factors, though these had not been fully explored in Mexico.This study analyzed factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine coverage among migrants in transit through Mexico. From November 2021 to May 2022, a convenience sample of 2,355 migrants across six shelters was surveyed on vaccination history and acceptance, as well as sociodemographic, migration, and health characteristics. To complement the survey, semi-structured interviews with migrants and key informants explored access barriers and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination.Of respondents, 61.1% reported receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, with 67.6% vaccinated prior to arriving in Mexico. Factors associated with vaccination included education level, country of prior residence, history of COVID-19 infection (OR = 1.370 [95% CI, 1.081–1.737]), and COVID-19 testing history (OR = 4.790 [95% CI, 3.825–5.999]). Among unvaccinated respondents, 81.4% expressed willingness to vaccinate, often viewing it as “protection against complications or death” and a “requirement for movement between countries.” Among respondents, 7.2% expressed concerns related to misinformation.Findings suggest that while many migrants were vaccinated before arrival, inconsistent ID requirements and age-based restrictions impeded coverage within Mexico. Addressing misinformation and aligning local practices with national policies could improve vaccine access for this population.

墨西哥在为移民群体，尤其是非常规移民（irregular migrants）、寻求庇护者（asylum seekers）与难民（refugees）实现新冠疫苗（COVID-19）接种覆盖率的目标上，面临诸多显著障碍。在其他地区语境下，移民的疫苗接种覆盖率会受到优先级政策、身份识别要求，以及各类社会人口学、移民相关与健康因素的影响，但这类影响因素在墨西哥尚未得到充分探究。本研究针对途经墨西哥的移民群体中与新冠疫苗接种覆盖率相关的影响因素展开了分析。2021年11月至2022年5月期间，研究人员针对分布于6家移民收容所的2355名移民采用便利抽样法开展调查，内容涵盖其疫苗接种史与接种意愿，以及社会人口学、移民相关与健康特征。为补充调查数据，研究还针对移民与关键知情人开展了半结构化访谈，以探究新冠疫苗接种的获取障碍及相关态度。受访对象中，61.1%报告已接种至少一剂新冠疫苗，其中67.6%是在抵达墨西哥前完成接种的。与疫苗接种行为相关的因素包括受教育水平、既往居住国、新冠感染史（比值比=1.370，95%置信区间：1.081~1.737）以及新冠检测史（比值比=4.790，95%置信区间：3.825~5.999）。在未接种疫苗的受访对象中，81.4%表示愿意接种新冠疫苗，他们普遍将接种行为视为“防范并发症或死亡的保护手段”以及“跨国流动的必要条件”。另有7.2%的受访对象表达了与疫苗错误信息相关的担忧。研究结果表明，尽管多数移民在抵达墨西哥前已完成新冠疫苗接种，但不一致的身份识别要求与基于年龄的接种限制，仍阻碍了该群体在墨西哥境内的疫苗接种覆盖率提升。解决错误信息传播问题，并使地方实践与国家政策保持一致，可有效改善这一群体的疫苗接种可及性。