Systematic scoping review of intervention strategies to address routine childhood vaccine hesitancy

Background Vaccine hesitancy poses a persistent threat to routine childhood immunization coverage worldwide, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review maps and synthesizes global interventions aimed at addressing routine childhood vaccine hesitancy among parents and caregivers of children under five years of age. Methods Guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature published from January 2021 to June 2025. Databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect. Studies were included if they described or evaluated interventions targeting vaccine hesitancy related to routine childhood vaccines in any global setting during and post COVID-19. Data extraction focused on study characteristics, target populations, intervention strategies, and outcomes. Results Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, representing countries across diverse income levels and geographic settings. Interventions varied widely and included message framing, peer and community-led education, motivational interviewing, digital and multimedia tools, provider communication training, and home-based vaccination programs. Strategies associated with improved outcomes were often context-specific, emphasizing trust, cultural relevance, and community involvement. Message framing using moral or emotional appeals and community-based peer education were associated with improvements in vaccine hesitancy outcomes. However, resource-intensive interventions, such as home visits, may be less scalable. Conclusion Addressing childhood vaccine hesitancy requires multifaceted, locally grounded strategies that go beyond information delivery. Interventions must prioritize trust, equity, and adaptability. Further research is needed to assess long-term effectiveness, scalability, and cost-efficiency across diverse settings. Protocol registration The protocol for this scoping review was registered with Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HXP4N .