Citation
Stoner, Marie C. D.; Browne, Erica N.; Tweedy, David; Pettifor, Audrey E.; Maragh-Bass, Allysha C.; Toval, Christina; Tolley, Elizabeth E.; Comello, Maria Leonora G.; Muessig, Kathryn E.; & Budhwani, Henna, et al. (2022). Exploring Motivations for COVID-19 Vaccination among Black Young Adults in Three Southern States: A cross sectional study between September to November 2021. JMIR Formative Research, 6(9), e39144. PMCID: PMC9446666Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on attitudes towards novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among Black or African American young adults (BYA) in the Southern United States (U.S.), despite high levels of infection in this population.OBJECTIVE: To understand this gap, we conducted an online survey to explore beliefs and experiences related to COVID-19 vaccination among BYA (ages 18-29) in three southern states.
METHODS: We recruited 150 BYA to participate in an online survey as formative research for an intervention to address vaccine hesitancy in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina between September 22, 2021, and November 18, 2021. Participants were recruited through social media ads on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Additionally, we distributed information about the survey through organizations working with BYA in AL, GA and NC, our community partners and network collaborations. We used measures that had been used and were previously validated in prior surveys, adapting them to the context of this study.
RESULTS: Roughly 14% (n=28) had not received any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Half of unvaccinated respondents (50%, n=14) reported they wanted to wait longer before getting vaccinated. Motivators to get vaccinated were similar between unvaccinated and vaccinated respondents (e.g., if required, to protect the health of others); but the main motivator for those vaccinated was to protect one's own health. Among unvaccinated individuals, reasons for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine included concern about vaccine side effects (54%) and mistrust of vaccine safety (46%), of effectiveness (43%), and of the government's involvement with vaccines (43%). Experiences of discrimination (40%) and mistrust of vaccines (36%) were common overall. Among all respondents, those who said they would be motivated to get vaccinated if it was required for school, work, or travel, were more likely to endorse negative beliefs about vaccines compared to those motivated for other reasons.
CONCLUSIONS: Mistrust in COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy was common among BYA in the Southern U.S., irrespective of vaccination status. Other motivators such as safety of family and community and vaccination requirements may be able to tip the scales towards a decision to be vaccinated among those who are initially hesitant. However, it is unclear how vaccine requirements among BYA in the South affect trust in government or healthcare in the long-term. Interventions that include BYA in vaccination messaging and programs may more proactively build feelings of trust and combat misinformation.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/39144Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2022Journal Title
JMIR Formative ResearchAuthor(s)
Stoner, Marie C. D.Browne, Erica N.
Tweedy, David
Pettifor, Audrey E.
Maragh-Bass, Allysha C.
Toval, Christina
Tolley, Elizabeth E.
Comello, Maria Leonora G.
Muessig, Kathryn E.
Budhwani, Henna
Hightow-Weidman, Lisa B.
Article Type
RegularPMCID
PMC9446666Continent/Country
United States of AmericaState
AlabamaGeorgia
North Carolina
Race/Ethnicity
BlackAfrican-American