Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Hesitancy among Farmworkers from Monterey County, California

ABSTRACT

ObjectivesTo examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on farmworkers from Monterey County, California. MethodsWe recruited adult farmworkers (n=1115) between July 16, 2020 and November 30, 2020. We collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, economic and social stressors experienced during COVID-19, and willingness to be vaccinated via interviews by phone. ResultsStudy participants, particularly female farmworkers, reported adverse effects of the pandemic on their mental health and home environment (e.g., 24% overall reported depression and/or anxiety symptoms). The pandemic also resulted in greater financial burden for many farmworkers, with 37% food insecure and 51% unable to pay bills. Half of respondents reported that they were extremely likely to be vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy was most common in participants who were women, younger, born in the United States, and living in more rural areas. ConclusionsWe found that the pandemic has substantially impacted the mental and physical health and economic and food security of farmworkers. Public Health ImplicationsThis study highlights the need to provide farmworkers with supplemental income, and increased mental and family health, and food support services.