Factors related to COVID-19 vaccine intention in Latino communities

Abstract

Objective To examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among Latino communities, with an emphasis on understanding barriers and facilitators to vaccine intention prior to the development of the vaccine. Methods Qualitative data were collected between April and June 2020 from 3 focus groups with Latino adults (n = 21) and interviews with administrators of community-based organizations serving Latino communities (n = 12) in urban (Los Angeles) and rural (Fresno) California, supplemented by Community Advisory Board input in May 2021to elucidate the findings. Data were analyzed with deductive content analysis. Results We have identified four main themes that are barriers to vaccinating against COVID-19: 1) concerns about accessing appropriate healthcare services, 2) financial issues and 3) immigration matters, as well as 4) misinformation. Conclusions Findings illustrate the pervasive role of addressable social determinants of health in the intention of rural and urban Latino communities in being vaccinated, which is a pressing public health issue. Policy implications: Findings provide evidence for a systemic shift to prioritize equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to Latino communities.

Latino Mortality Paradox Found (Again): COVID-19 Mortality a Tale of Two Years

“…To better understand Latino-white disparities in COVID-19 mortality, we must reckon with both the historical and contemporary inequalities that have led to the Latino-white differences in COVID-19 mortality we observe today (Berkowitz et al, 2020). For instance, the unethical treatment of Latinos in medical trials and forced sterilization clinics created a climate of mistrust between Latino communities and medical providers (Lombardo, 2011;Perez et al, 2022). In addition, redlining and other racist policies that have led to segregation have both direct and indirect pathways to COVID-19.…”

“…This is of particular concern as Latinos report significantly lower levels of bivalent COVID-19 booster doses relative to whites (4% vs. 10%, respectively) (Ndugga, Hill, & Artiga, 2022) which may impact the risk of infection and the severity of the disease. Moreover, older Latinos have been shown to have low rates of healthcare coverage (García, Garcia, & Ailshire, 2022) which can influence their intention to be tested for COVID-19 infection or vaccinated (Perez et al, 2022). Attention to state variations may provide important contextual information to understand differences between Latinos and whites in the current stages of the pandemic and beyond.…”

Feasibility and Acceptability of Spanish-language Facebook Group on Latino Parents’ COVID-19 Vaccine Beliefs: Case study of the Brigada Digital de Salud

“…Exposure to misinformation has fueled parent concerns and has played an important role in vaccine hesitancy among U.S. Latinos. Throughout the pandemic, U.S. Spanish-speaking populations have experienced major gaps in timely, accurate COVID-19 information (12,19,(33)(34)(35), combined with disproportionate exposure to COVID-19 misinformation, conspiracy theories and hoaxes, and targeted disinformation efforts on social media platforms (22,32,(36)(37)(38). Studies have documented the link between exposure to COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on social media and negative vaccine attitudes, lower trust in science, confusion about which information sources to trust, and decreased vaccination acceptance and intentions (39)(40)(41)(42).…”

Assessing Brigada Digital de Salud Audience Reach and Engagement: A Digital Community Health Worker Model to Address COVID-19 Misinformation in Spanish on Social Media

“…U.S. Spanish-speaking populations experienced major gaps in timely, accurate COVID-19 information throughout the pandemic [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ], combined with disproportionate exposure to COVID-19 misinformation, conspiracy theories and hoaxes, and targeted disinformation efforts on social media platforms [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Swells in COVID-19 misinformation and growing mistrust during the pandemic prompted healthcare providers, community leaders, and government agencies to coordinate outreach and education initiatives, yet efforts to reach Spanish-language audiences through trusted, culturally and ethnically concordant messengers often lagged behind [ 2 , 4 , 11 ].…”

“…Even with those mechanisms in place, efforts to counter misinformation have not kept pace with the quantity of false COVID-19 information circulating online in Spanish [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The increased vulnerability to misinformation among Latino individuals with lower literacy and health literacy levels has also been described [ 4 , 22 , 23 ]. This confluence of factors, combined with anti-immigrant and sociopolitical rhetoric [ 24 , 25 ], fueled growing Latino community uncertainty and mistrust of public health agencies, government institutions, scientists, and health professionals [ 22 , 26 , 27 ].…”