Florence Momplaisir1,2, Norrisa Haynes1,2, Hervette Nkwihoreze1, Maria Nelson3, Rachel M Werner1,2, John Jemmott4,5. 1. University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. University of Pennsylvania, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4. University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 5. University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School for Communication, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disproportionately affected communities of color, with blacks experiencing the highest rates of disease severity and mortality. A vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to reduce the race mortality gap from COVID-19; however, hesitancy of the vaccine in the black community threatens vaccine uptake. METHODS: We conducted focus groups with black barbershop and salon owners living in zip codes of elevated COVID-19 prevalence to assess their attitudes, beliefs, and norms around a COVID-19 vaccine. We used a modified grounded theory approach to analyze the transcripts. RESULTS: We completed four focus groups (n=24 participants) in July and August 2020. Participants were an average age of 46, 89% were black non-Hispanic. Hesitancy against the COVID-19 vaccine was high due to mistrust in the medical establishment, concerns with the accelerated timeline for vaccine development, limited data on short and long-term side effects, and the political environment promoting racial injustice. Some participants were willing to consider the vaccine once the safety profile is robust and reassuring. Receiving a recommendation to take the vaccine from a trusted health care provider served as a facilitator. Health beliefs identified were similar to concerns around other vaccines, and included the fear of getting the infection with vaccination, and preferring to improve one's baseline physical health through alternative therapies. CONCLUSION: We found that hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine was high; however, provider recommendation and transparency around the safety profile might help reduce hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
INTRODUCTION:Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disproportionately affected communities of color, with blacks experiencing the highest rates of disease severity and mortality. A vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to reduce the race mortality gap from COVID-19; however, hesitancy of the vaccine in the black community threatens vaccine uptake. METHODS: We conducted focus groups with black barbershop and salon owners living in zip codes of elevated COVID-19 prevalence to assess their attitudes, beliefs, and norms around a COVID-19 vaccine. We used a modified grounded theory approach to analyze the transcripts. RESULTS: We completed four focus groups (n=24 participants) in July and August 2020. Participants were an average age of 46, 89% were black non-Hispanic. Hesitancy against the COVID-19 vaccine was high due to mistrust in the medical establishment, concerns with the accelerated timeline for vaccine development, limited data on short and long-term side effects, and the political environment promoting racial injustice. Some participants were willing to consider the vaccine once the safety profile is robust and reassuring. Receiving a recommendation to take the vaccine from a trusted health care provider served as a facilitator. Health beliefs identified were similar to concerns around other vaccines, and included the fear of getting the infection with vaccination, and preferring to improve one's baseline physical health through alternative therapies. CONCLUSION: We found that hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine was high; however, provider recommendation and transparency around the safety profile might help reduce hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Authors: Amy Bleakley; Michael Hennessy; Erin Maloney; Dannagal G Young; John Crowley; Kami Silk; Jessica B Langbaum Journal: Ann Behav Med Date: 2022-04-02
Authors: Jia Hu; Raynell Lang; Jamie L Benham; Omid Atabati; Robert J Oxoby; Mehdi Mourali; Blake Shaffer; Hasan Sheikh; Jean-Christophe Boucher; Cora Constantinescu; Jeanna Parsons Leigh; Noah M Ivers; Scott C Ratzan; Madison M Fullerton; Theresa Tang; Braden J Manns; Deborah A Marshall Journal: JMIR Public Health Surveill Date: 2021-12-23