COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among rural Oklahomans

Randolph D. Hubach · Shannon · Alexander Alexander · O’Neil · Giano

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Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research COVID-19 and Mental Health

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 vaccination is widely recommended as a prevention strategy; however, vaccine uptake is disproportionately lower among rural Americans compared to their urban counterparts. Development of public health activities to address the rural-urban vaccine gap requires an understanding of determinants of vaccine hesitation. The present study explores perceptions of and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among rural Oklahomans. METHODS: Between March and May 2021, 222 residents, unvaccinated for COVID-19, within rural Oklahoma counties completed a cross-sectional, online questionnaire to qualitatively assess perceptions, benefits, and concerns regarding getting vaccinated for COVID-19. RESULTS: Approximately two-fifths of rural respondents in the present study were hesitant to get vaccinated, even when a vaccine was made available to them. Major factors included limited knowledge and understanding about the vaccine, including potential side-effects and long-term complications, as well as skepticism surrounding COVID-19 vaccine development and efficacy. Among the potential perceived benefits of vaccination were protecting the health of vulnerable individuals and the ability to return to normal day-to-day activities. CONCLUSION: Increases in COVID-19 cases and deaths in rural areas are expected to continue as new variants are introduced within communities. The present findings highlight the need for the development of culturally tailored vaccine information, to be disseminated by local leaders within rural communities.

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References

2016The State of Vaccine Confidence 2016: Global Insights Through a 67-Country Survey 2020Factors Associated With US Adults’ Likelihood of Accepting COVID-19 Vaccination 2020Who is wearing a mask? Gender-, age-, and location-related differences during the COVID-19 pandemic 2020Crisis Communication and Public Perception of COVID-19 Risk in the Era of Social Media 2021Individual and social determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake 2021Trust in a COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.: A social-ecological perspective 2015Measuring Vaccine Confidence: Introducing a Global Vaccine Confidence Index 2017Reducing Potentially Excess Deaths from the Five Leading Causes of Death in the Rural United States

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2022Rural-Urban Disparities in Vaccine Hesitancy among Adults in South Tyrol, Italy

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