Facilitators of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Black and Hispanic individuals in New York: A qualitative study.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Black and Hispanic individuals experience poorer outcomes related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), yet have alarmingly lower uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine compared to non-Hispanic White individuals.Objective
To explore the perceptions of barriers and facilitators of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Black and Hispanic adults in the New York.Methods
A qualitative study consisting of one-on-one semistructured interviews with Black and/ or Hispanic adults in New York state was conducted. Participants were recruited from local businesses, community-based social service agencies and Black and Hispanic churches and a college. All data were collected between February and March 2021. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis.Results
A total of 50 individuals (32 [64%] women; mean [SD] age, 42.04 [15.99] years) participated. The majority of participants identified as Black (n = 34, 68%), 9 (18%) identified as Hispanic, 3 (6%) as Black and Hispanic, and 4 (8%) as White and Hispanic. Twenty-two participants (44%) had high-school level education or less. Mistrust emerged as a central barrier to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Facilitators of effective COVID-19 vaccine messages include (1) key informants: like me, (2) personalized community outreach, (3) present the facts, and (4) communicate across multiple media platforms.Conclusions
This qualitative study found that among Black and Hispanic participants, receipt of reliable vaccine related information, social networks, seeing people like themselves receive the vaccination, and trusted doctors are key drivers of vaccine acceptance.
SUBMITTER: Osakwe ZT
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8668153 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC9519527 | biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic continues to adversely affect the U.S., which leads globally in total cases and deaths. As COVID-19 vaccines are under development, public health officials and policymakers need to create strategic vaccine-acceptance messaging to effectively control the pandemic and prevent thousands of additional deaths.MethodsUsing an online platform, we surveyed the U.S. adult population in May 2020 to understand risk perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic, acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine, and trust in sources of information. These factors were compared across basic demographics.FindingsOf the 672 participants surveyed, 450 (67%) said they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine if it is recommended for them. Males (72%) compared to females, older adults (≥55 years; 78%) compared to younger adults, Asians (81%) compared to other racial and ethnic groups, and college and/or graduate degree holders (75%) compared to people with less than a college degree were more likely to accept the vaccine. When comparing reported influenza vaccine uptake to reported acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine: 1) participants who did not complete high school had a very low influenza vaccine uptake (10%), while 60% of the same group said they would accept the COVID-19 vaccine; 2) unemployed participants reported lower influenza uptake and lower COVID-19 vaccine acceptance when compared to those employed or retired; and, 3) Black Americans reported lower influenza vaccine uptake and lower COVID-19 vaccine acceptance than all other racial groups reported in our study. Lastly, we identified geographic differences with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regions 2 (New York) and 5 (Chicago) reporting less than 50 percent COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.InterpretationAlthough our study found a 67% acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine, there were noticeable demographic and geographical disparities in vaccine acceptance. Before a COVID-19 vaccine is introduced to the U.S., public health officials and policymakers must prioritize effective COVID-19 vaccine-acceptance messaging for all Americans, especially those who are most vulnerable.
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Project description:BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccination rates among Black Americans have been lower than White Americans and are disproportionate to their population size and COVID-19 impact. This study examined reasons for low vaccination intentions and preferred strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccination.MethodsBetween November 2020 and March 2021, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 participants who expressed low vaccination intentions in a RAND American Life Panel survey; we also interviewed five stakeholders who represent organizations or subgroups in Black communities that have been highly affected by COVID-19.ResultsMany interviewees discussed the "wait-and-see" approach, citing that more time and evidence for vaccine side effects and efficacy are needed. Perceived barriers to COVID-19 vaccination included structural barriers to access (e.g., transportation, technology) and medical mistrust (e.g., towards the vaccines themselves, the government, healthcare providers and healthcare systems, and pharmaceutical companies) stemming from historical and contemporary systematic racism against Black communities. Interviewees also discussed strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccines, including acknowledging systemic racism as the root cause for mistrust, preferred messaging content (e.g., transparent messages about side effects), modes, and access points (e.g., a variety of medical and non-medical sites), and trusted information sources (e.g., trusted leaders, Black doctors and researchers).ConclusionsThese insights can inform ways to improve initial and booster vaccination uptake as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.
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