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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Scholarly Works (2 results)

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UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal, Volume 14, Issue 1 (2022)

In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health disparities among African American and Latinx populations with particularly low vaccination rates. Vaccine hesitancy is a key barrier to African American and Latinx groups from acquiring the COVID-19 vaccine. Studies highlight that contextual influences, individual and group influences, and vaccinespecific influences have prominence in COVID-19 vaccine hesitation. This literature review summarizes COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy characteristics and the health communication strategies that legislators may consider when developing COVID-19 vaccination policies and programs in the United States.

Key Words: literature review, coronavirus disease-19, COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines, COVID19 vaccines, vaccine hesitancy, minority health, health disparities

    Cover page: COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in African American and Latinx PopulationsCreative Commons 'BY-NC-ND' version 4.0 license
    • Article
    • Peer Reviewed
    UC Merced Previously Published Works (2023)

    Background

    Men who have sex with men (MSM) have suboptimal uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal vaccines. This study examines barriers and facilitators to HPV and meningococcal vaccination among MSM in a large, racially/ethnically diverse, and medically underserved U.S. region.

    Methods

    In 2020, we conducted five focus groups with MSM living in the Inland Empire, California. Participants discussed (1) their knowledge about and attitudes toward HPV, meningococcal disease, and related vaccines; and (2) factors that would encourage or discourage vaccine uptake. Data were systematically analyzed to identify salient barriers and facilitators to vaccination.

    Results

    Participants (N = 25) had a median age of 29. Most were Hispanic (68%), self-identified as gay (84%), and had college degrees (64%). Key barriers to vaccination included: (1) limited awareness and knowledge about HPV and meningococcal disease, (2) reliance on mainstream healthcare providers for vaccine information, (3) stigma and reluctance to disclose sexual orientation, (4) uncertainty about health insurance coverage and vaccine costs, and (5) distance and time required to access vaccines. Key facilitators to vaccination were: (1) vaccine confidence, (2) perceived severity of HPV and meningococcal disease, (3) bundling vaccination into routine healthcare, and (4) pharmacies as vaccination sites.

    Conclusions

    Findings highlight opportunities for HPV and meningococcal vaccine promotion, including targeted education and awareness campaigns for MSM, LGBT inclusivity training for healthcare providers, and structural interventions to improve vaccine accessibility.
      Cover page: Barriers and facilitators to HPV and meningococcal vaccination among men who have sex with men: a qualitative studyCreative Commons 'BY' version 4.0 license
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