COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Among Healthcare Workers by Immigrant Background

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has shed light on the disparity in COVID-19 vaccination rates among healthcare workers in Norway, with immigrants displaying a 9 percentage point lower vaccination rate compared to their non-immigrant counterparts. The study found that the overall vaccination rate varied significantly by country of birth, with immigrants from certain countries such as Russia, Serbia, and Somalia having the lowest crude vaccination rates. However, when adjusted for demographics and occupational codes, immigrant groups with higher vaccination rates were observed, indicating that vaccine access plays a crucial role in immunization rates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 vaccination rate among healthcare workers in Norway is significantly lower among immigrants, with a 9 percentage point difference compared to non-immigrant workers.
  • Immigrants from certain countries such as Russia, Serbia, and Somalia have the lowest crude vaccination rates, with rates as low as 71%, 72%, and 72%, respectively.
  • Adjusting for demographics and occupational codes reveals that immigrant groups with higher vaccination rates are employed as healthcare assistants, such as those from Eritrea and Somalia.
  • The research suggests that measures to improve vaccine uptake should focus on specific immigrant groups rather than the entire immigrant population together.
  • The study concludes that lower vaccination rates in some immigrant groups are largely driven by occupational composition and vaccine access.

Statistics:

  • The overall vaccination rate among healthcare workers in Norway is 85%.
  • Immigrants had a 9 percentage point lower vaccination rate (85%) than non-immigrant workers (94%) at 31 August 2021.
  • The vaccination rate among immigrant groups varied by country of birth, with immigrants from Russia, Serbia, and Lithuania having the lowest crude vaccination rates at 71%, 72%, and 72%, respectively.
  • When adjusted for demographics and occupational codes, immigrant groups with higher vaccination rates were observed, rising to 85% in some cases.

Sources:

  • `Covid-19 Vaccination Rates Among Healthcare Workers By Immigrant Background: a Nation-wide Registry Study From Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 2025;53(5):447-455`
  • Norwegian Institute of Public Health
  • SAGE Publications Ltd
  • Scandinavian Journal of Public Health - sjp.sagepub.com