Research projects
HCW-TRUST
Full title: Building vaccine confidence among health workers in Nigeria
While healthcare workers' recommendations have been identified as one of the leading factors influencing individuals' vaccine decision-making, the likelihood and quality of a recommendation depend on their own vaccine knowledge and confidence. HCW-TRUST is a VR funded project (2022-2025) that investigates healthcare workers' low confidence in new vaccines, and pilot tests an intervention to address the vaccine hesitancy among health workers in Nigeria.
Contact
Kofoworola Olamide Akinsola , PhD student
Email: kofoworola.olamide.akinsola@ki.se
Carina King, Researcher
Email: carina.king@ki.se
Ayobami Adebayo Bakare, Researcher
Email: bakare.ayobami.adebayo@ki.se
Sibylle Herzig van Wees, Principal Investigator
Email: sibylle.herzig.van.wees@ki.se
Publications
Bakare AA; Gobbo E; Akinsola KO; King C; Salako J; Bakare D; Usman H; Hanson C; Falade AG; Herzig van Wees S.
Glob Public Health. 2025;20(1):2439887
van Wees SH, Bakare AA, Akinsola KO, Salako J, Bakare D, Gobbo E, Hanson C, Falade A, King C.
BMJ Open. 2025;15(4):e098308
Bakare D, Gobbo E, Akinsola KO, Bakare AA, Salako J, Hanson C, Herzig van Wees S, Falade A, King C.
Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2024;20(1):2402122
Akinsola KO, Bakare AA, Gobbo E, King C, Hanson C, Falade A, Herzig van Wees S. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2024;20(1):2322796
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 KÃ¥gesten, 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
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
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
Herzig van Wees S, Ström M. Soc Sci Med. 2024;349:116893
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.
Contact
Sibylle Herzig van Wees, Principal Investigator
Email: sibylle.herzig.van.wees@ki.se
Publications
Avermark H, Tzirita S, Sun S, Herzig van Wees S, Radix E. PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251070307