REPORTED BELIEFS ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINES AMONG UNVACCINATED HISPANIC ADULTS UTILIZING A FREE CLINIC IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Subgroups of the general population, including Hispanic/ Latinx individuals, report higher rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy than Non-Hispanic White individuals. The purpose of this study involved identifying factors that influence attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines among unvaccinated Hispanic adults utilizing a free community clinic in Orlando, Florida. METHODS: From May 2021 to July 2021, we used convenience sampling to recruit 20 self-identified Hispanic adults who were unvaccinated to complete an individual, semi-structured interview. We developed the interview guide based on constructs from the Health Belief Model. Interviews ranged from 15 to 60 minutes in duration and were conducted in-person or via telephone in Spanish or English, depending on participant preference. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated (when necessary), and qualitatively analyzed using inductive content analysis to identify recurring themes. RESULTS: Of the 20 participants in this study, 65% were female (n=13) and they ranged from 21 to 73 years of age (median age =42.5). We identified three primary themes in participant responses regarding their beliefs about COVID19 vaccines 1) trust and clarity of COVID-19 vaccine information 2) personal contextual factors and 3) lack of confidence, yet willingness, to get vaccinated. Participants reported receiving information on COVID-19 vaccines from various sources, but the trustworthiness and clarity of this information were concerns for participants. Most participants indicated preferring information from government-based sources and scientific professionals over information from news outlets or social media. We found personal contextual factors, such as underlying health conditions, immigrant status, and personal perceptions of COVID-19, to be recurring themes for not getting a COVID-19 vaccine. While some variation existed in participants' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines, participants indicated feeling a lack of confidence in these vaccines. However, most participants also indicated a willingness to be vaccinated in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Overcoming vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable populations, such as the Latinx community will require addressing issues of message clarity through trusted sources while considering an individual's personal context. Health care professionals can begin by initiating discussions with patients to understand individual circumstances and concerns and provide information on COVID-19 vaccines that clarify confusion points and are personally relevant to patients.