A Qualitative Exploration of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Hispanic/Latine and African American and Black Middle-Aged and Older Adults in South Florida

A Qualitative Exploration of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Hispanic/Latine and African American and Black Middle-Aged and Older Adults in South Florida

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Racial and ethnic health disparities are more conspicuous in the United States since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.While the urgency of these disparities was already alarming, the pandemic has exacerbated longstanding issues in health equity, disproportionate impacts, and Home Test Kits social determinants of health.Vaccine hesitancy was a crucial factor during the U.S.

COVID-19 vaccination campaign.We conducted a qualitative exploration of vaccine hesitancy through thematic analysis of four focus groups with Hispanic/Latine and African American/Black adults and senior citizens (N=23).The focus groups were conducted between February and April of 2021, in both English and Spanish.All participants (mean age=66.

2, female 78.3%) were recruited by community-based organizations in the South Florida area.We explored six categories: (1) barriers to prevention and preventive behaviors, (2) barriers to vaccination MACA+CACAO against COVID-19, (3) facilitators of prevention and preventative behaviors, (4) facilitators of vaccination against COVID-19, (5) trusted sources of information, and (6) suggested macrolevel measures.These categories are discussed vis-?-vis COVID-19 disparities among racial and ethnic minorities.

Implications for public health policy and future vaccination campaigns are outlined and discussed.