COVID-19 Vaccination: Comparison of Attitudes, Decision-Making Processes, and Communication among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Black Americans

Jennifer Cunningham-Erves (), Whitney George, Elizabeth C. Stewart, Alison Footman, Jamaine Davis, Maureen Sanderson, Meredith Smalls, Phillip Morris, Kristin Clarkson, Omaran Lee and Heather M. Brandt
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Jennifer Cunningham-Erves: Department of Internal Medicine, Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
Whitney George: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 27232, USA
Elizabeth C. Stewart: Department of Internal Medicine, Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
Alison Footman: Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
Jamaine Davis: Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
Maureen Sanderson: Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
Meredith Smalls: Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance, 1903 Meharry Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
Phillip Morris: Department of Internal Medicine, Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
Kristin Clarkson: Congregational Health & Education Network, 1818 Albion St, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
Omaran Lee: Centers for Wellbeing, P.O. Box 330191, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
Heather M. Brandt: Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Background: COVID-19 vaccination rates remain suboptimal among Black Americans who disproportionately experience higher hospitalization and death rates than White Americans. Methods: We conducted a multi-method (interviews and surveys) study among 30 Black Americans ( n = 16 vaccinated, n = 14 unvaccinated) to explore factors related to vaccination hesitancy, decision-making processes, and communication related to uptake. Participants were recruited by using community-driven approaches, including partner collaborations. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data, and descriptive and bivariate analysis was used for quantitative data. Results: Of those unvaccinated, 79% ( n = 11) stated they were delaying and 21% ( n = 3) were declining vaccination indefinitely. When asked about the likelihood of vaccine initiation in 6 months and 12 months, 29% ( n = 4) and 36% ( n = 5), respectively, stated that they would receive the vaccine. The following themes emerged: (1) COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy exists on a continuum; (2) varied decision-making processes for COVID-19 vaccination; (3) motivators among vaccinated individuals; (4) barriers among unvaccinated individuals; (5) retrieving and navigating vaccine information within the COVID-19 infodemic; and (6) parent perspectives on child vaccination. Conclusions: Findings suggest that vaccinated and unvaccinated participants had similar and dissimilar perspectives in decision-making processes and vaccine concerns as shown in the Decision-making Processes for the COVID-19 vaccination (DePC) model. Based on these findings, future studies should further explore how factors influencing decision-making can lead to divergent outcomes for COVID-19 vaccination.

Keywords: COVID-19; vaccine hesitancy; Black Americans; communication; culturally appropriate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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