Perceptions and Motivating Factors Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in Latinx Older Adults in Chicago: A Local, Qualitative Perspective

Abstract

Historically marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic are demonstrating lower uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. To facilitate the development of culturally tailored, language concordant educational materials promoting COVID-19 vaccination, we first explored older Latinx adults' awareness, attitudes, and beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines and factors involved in vaccination decisions within their communities. Patients and Methods: Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants who self-identified as Latinx/ Hispanic, aged 50 and older, and living in Chicago. Eight interviews were conducted in English and seven in Spanish. Thematic analysis was used to analyze participants' responses. Results: Participants revealed four key factors influencing vaccination decisions: 1. protecting oneself and loved ones (against COVID-19 (n=14), or from perceived dangers of the vaccine (n=9)); 2. trust in authorities (trusting information (n=9), or worrying the vaccine is being manipulated (n=5)); 3. access and availability (gratitude to live in a country where vaccines are available (n=5), or fear of going to vaccination sites due to immigration and insurance status (n=4)); and 4. Employment and semblance of normalcy (vaccination to create opportunities (n=6), or concern about missing out due to side effects (n=9)). Conclusion: Our findings illuminate key factors influencing decisions for COVID-19 vaccination among Latinx older adults in Chicago. Vaccination information aiming to increase vaccination rates among this important population may benefit from leveraging collective pronouns and spirituality, language concordance, low-tech options, building trust, and addressing insurance and immigration doubts. Next steps include developing educational materials based on these themes, followed by dissemination and evaluation. Lessons learned may be of interest to public health experts responding to the ongoing pandemic and other public health crises experienced by historically marginalized communities.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among adolescents and youths: Findings and implications for future vaccination programmes

“…Additionally, we found that some of the vaccinated participants had previously been quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure or had a pre-existing chronic condition. This suggests that individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, especially those with co-morbidities, may be more likely to prioritise vaccination to protect their health, again similar to other studies [ 120 , 122 – 125 ]. Consequently, future public health campaigns need to consider these additional risk factors as well and target outreach and education efforts towards individuals who may be more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 illness.…”

Does education influence COVID-19 vaccination? A global view

“…Other investigations related to COVID-19 vaccination were carried out from manifold angles, covering various social groups [ [49] , [50] , [51] , [52] ] or territories [ [53] , [54] , [55] , [56] , [57] ]. Therefore, in Africa, a continent with a large population, beyond a cumbersome management of vaccination campaigns, supplementary incentives are needed to consider all social categories, those related to age or place of origin [ 58 ].…”

Disparities in public understanding, attitudes, and intentions during the Covid-19 pandemic: The role of health literacy

“…This inadequacy of the health information environment has led to further marginalisation of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Poor outcomes including lower knowledge and understanding about COVID-19, negative attitudes and behaviours related to COVID-19, have been observed among different cultural and linguistic groups in many countries, including Australia [37,39,[70][71][72][73]. In the authors' Australian national survey, people who spoke another language at home reported: a greater perceived difficulty in finding health information; a lower perceived risk of COVID-19; a lower understanding of COVID-19 prevention behaviours; a higher endorsement of misinformation; and a lower willingness to be vaccinated compared to people who spoke English [40].…”

“…Some communities also exhibit a compromised trust in government advice, based on a history of racism in medical research and care, uncertainty about visa status, and a lack of government support for those in precarious or hazardous employment. For instance, whilst Light et al reported that some Latino Americans trusted COVID-19 vaccines, others worried the vaccines had been manipulated [73]. Fear about attending a vaccine site also was reported due to immigration status as well as concerns about missing work due to short-term vaccination side effects.…”