4.7 Article

Racial/Ethnic Variances in COVID-19 Inoculation among Southern California Healthcare Workers

Journal

VACCINES
Volume 10, Issue 8, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081331

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic; vaccine hesitancy; healthcare professionals; racial; ethnic groups; booster; COVID-19 knowledge; vaccine acceptance; targeted interventions

Funding

  1. Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services (CHIPTS) NIMH grant [MH58107]

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This study aims to provide a deeper understanding of vaccine hesitancy among racially and ethnically minoritized healthcare workers (HCWs) and identify factors associated with vaccine non-acceptance. The findings reveal that a significant number of Black, Hispanic, and Asian American HCWs are vaccine-hesitant, and factors such as age, education level, occupation, COVID-19 history, and COVID-19 knowledge predict vaccine hesitancy. The study highlights racial and ethnic disparities in vaccine hesitancy and barriers to vaccination among HCWs of color.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) from minoritized communities are a critical partner in moving vaccine-hesitant populations toward vaccination, yet a significant number of these HCWs are delaying or deciding against their own COVID-19 vaccinations. Our study aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of vaccine hesitancy among racially and ethnically minoritized HCWs and to describe factors associated with vaccine non-acceptance. Analysis of a sub-sample of racially and ethnically minoritized HCWs (N = 1131), who participated in a cross-sectional study at two large Southern California medical centers, was conducted. Participants completed an online survey consisting of demographics, work setting and clinical role, influenza vaccination history, COVID-19 knowledge, beliefs, personal COVID-19 exposure, diagnosis, and impact on those closest to them. While overall most HCWs were vaccinated (84%), 28% of Black, 19% of Hispanic, and 8% of Asian American HCWs were vaccine-hesitant. Age, education level, occupation, history of COVID-19, and COVID-19 related knowledge were predictive of vaccine hesitancy. We found significant variations in COVID-19 related knowledge and reasons for vaccine hesitancy among Black (governmental mistrust), Hispanic (preference for physiological immunity), and Asian-American HCWs (concern about side effects) who were vaccine-hesitant or not. Our findings highlight racial and ethnic differences in vaccine-hesitancy and barriers to vaccination among HCWs of color. This study indicates the necessity of targeted interventions to reduce vaccine hesitancy that are mindful of the disparities in knowledge and access and differences between and among racial and ethnic groups.

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