Bar-Ilan University study reveals high vaccination rates among Israeli Arabs, offering insights for minority populations worldwide

A new study led by researchers at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University has uncovered the unique reasons behind the high vaccination rates among Israeli Arabs, a phenomenon rarely observed among minority groups globally. The research, part of the large-scale RIVER-EU project to increase vaccine uptake in underserved EU communities, examined vaccination behaviors among minority populations across Europe and found that Israeli Arabs are far more likely to receive vaccines compared to the general population, particularly for childhood immunizations like HPV and MMR. 

Led by Dr. Jumanah Essa-Hadad, Prof. Michael Edelstein, and a team of researchers from multiple countries, the study explores the critical factors contributing to this trend. One of the most significant findings is the high trust that Israeli Arabs place in the country’s healthcare system. Unlike other institutions in Israel, the healthcare system is perceived as professional, fair, and non-discriminatory. Dr. Essa-Hadad explains, “The Israeli healthcare system is known for its large number of Arab doctors and nurses, and their presence contributes to a sense of trust and willingness to vaccinate.” 

The study, published in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, involved interviews with approximately 53 members of the Arab community, including healthcare workers, mothers, and teenagers. Researchers sought to understand why this group shows high vaccination rates, which contrast with certain vaccine hesitancy trends in other populations. Prof. Edelstein, an expert in public health and epidemiology of infectious diseases, notes, “The social norm within the Arab community strongly favors vaccinations, seeing them as routine and essential health practices, rather than controversial.”

Furthermore, the study highlighted that vaccinations are often administered in accessible, supportive environments, with Arabic-speaking clinics offering flexible hours and play areas for children. This convenience and sense of comfort encourage Arab mothers to ensure their children are vaccinated. 

The research also identified a key factor in vaccination success: the school setting. Teenagers who observed their peers getting vaccinated were more likely to follow suit, reinforcing vaccination as a community standard. Vaccines provided free of charge in Israel also made it easier for families to participate. 

However, the study also points to the lower vaccination rates against COVID-19 in the Arab population, a discrepancy not directly addressed in the research but attributed to a difference in perception. While childhood vaccines are seen as familiar and standard, the COVID-19 vaccine was viewed as new and unfamiliar, leading to hesitancy. 

The findings from this study position the Arab population in Israel as a model for promoting vaccination among other minority groups globally. The study also draws comparisons with successful vaccination efforts among Somali communities in Finland and Bengali populations in England. It suggests that trust in healthcare professionals, along with accessible and supportive healthcare infrastructure, are key ingredients for increasing vaccination rates in minority populations worldwide.