Trust in healthcare systems and public health interventions – Team Herzig van Wees

Our research team explores trust in healthcare systems and health interventions—particularly vaccines—in Sweden, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Trust plays a critical role in shaping health-seeking behaviours, determining whether new interventions are adopted, and influencing their long-term sustainability. Sustaining and rebuilding trust—especially in marginalised groups—requires coordinated, participatory, and responsive public health strategies informed by social science and behavioural insights.

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Publications
Staff and contact

HPV-END-IT

Full title: Addressing HPV vaccine hEsitancy by co-desigNing a Digital health InTervention with and for socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents and guardians in Sweden

In Sweden, uptake of and confidence in the HPV vaccine are lower than that of other childhood vaccines, with notable disparities between groups and areas. HPV-END-IT is a Forte-funded project (2024-2027) with the aim to co-design and pilot-test a digital health intervention to reduce HPV vaccine hesitancy and increase HPV vaccine uptake in communities at risk of undervaccination in Stockholm.

Contact

Elin Larsson, Researcher
Email: elin.larsson@ki.se

Anna Kågesten, Researcher
Email: anna.kagesten@ki.se

Helena Avermark, Research assistant
Email: helena.avermark@stud.ki.se

Sibylle Herzig van Wees, Principal Investigator

Email: sibylle.herzig.van.wees@ki.se

Publications

School nurses’ perceptions of providing the HPV vaccine to adolescents in undervaccinated communities in region Stockholm: A qualitative study
Avermark H, Ström M, Herzig van Wees S.

Submitted

How has co-design been used to address vaccine hesitancy globally? A systematic review
Alpeza F, Avermark H, Gobbo E, Herzig van Wees S.
Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2024;20(1):2431380

HPV-AWARE

Full title: Improving HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening awareness and uptake through a co-designed demand generating intervention with and for women and girls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The uptake of the HPV vaccine is increasing among Ethiopian girls, but to maintain this progress, it is essential for society to understand the importance of the HPV vaccine. This project focuses on strengthening confidence in HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening, within the Ethiopian community and among influential stakeholders, such as faith leaders. It has received funding from the Einhorn Foundation and the Church of Sweden.

Contact

Wosene Berhanu Haile , PhD student
Email: wosene.berhanu.haile@ki.se

Sibylle Herzig van Wees, Principal Investigator
Email: sibylle.herzig.van.wees@ki.se

Reaching the underserved Hamer group in Ethiopia

Full title: Leveraging behavioural change models to improve childhood immunization in pastoralist Hamer communities, southern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, childhood vaccine uptake remains suboptimal, with undervaccination being particularly prominent in rural and pastoralist communities. This project aims to improve childhood immunization in pastoralist Hamer communities in southern Ethiopia. In collaboration with the community, we will implement a co-created model to boost catch-up vaccination and build trust in vaccines.

Contact

Kalkidan Yohannes Olkamo , Affiliated to Research
Email: kalkidan.yohannes.olkamo@ki.se

Sibylle Herzig van Wees, Principal Investigator
Email: sibylle.herzig.van.wees@ki.se

MMR vaccine uptake

Despite the association being scientifically refuted, rumours linking the MMR vaccine with autism continue to raise concerns for parents. In this Forte-funded project, we explore the rumours around and trust in the MMR vaccine, online and within groups at risk of undervaccination, such as migrant and anthroposophist communities. Based on our findings, we are now collaborating on a project to co-create advocacy for and research about autism among Somali children in Järva, Stockholm. See also: Co-creating advocacy for and research about autism among Somali children in Järva

Publications

The silent shot: An analysis of the origin, sustenance and implications of the MMR vaccine – autism rumour in the Somali diaspora in Sweden and beyond
Herzig van Wees S, Dini S. Glob Public Health. 2023;18(1):2257771

Vaccine choices and stigma

Within this project, we aimed to understand vaccination choices and what happens to communities if vaccinations are delayed or rejected.

Publications

”Your child will have a bird brain!”: Vaccination choices and stigma among vaccine enquirers in Sweden: A qualitative study
Herzig van Wees S, Ström M. Soc Sci Med. 2024;349:116893

Understanding and explaining the link between anthroposophy and vaccine hesitancy: a systematic review
Herzig van Wees S, Abunnaja K, Mounier-Jack S. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2238

HPV vaccination among men who have sex with men

Men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by HPV-related cancers, but as structured HPV vaccination efforts have traditionally targeted girls and women, uptake remains suboptimal in this group. In this project, we explore how tailored health communication and strategies can be used to raise awareness and increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine among young men who have sex with men.