PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in underserved communities of North Carolina

  • Irene A. Doherty,
  • William Pilkington,
  • Laurin Brown,
  • Victoria Billings,
  • Undi Hoffler,
  • Lisa Paulin,
  • K. Sean Kimbro,
  • Brittany Baker,
  • Tianduo Zhang,
  • Tracie Locklear,
  • Seronda Robinson,
  • Deepak Kumar

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 11

Abstract

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Background In the United States, underserved communities including Blacks and Latinx are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, describe attitudes related to vaccination, and identify correlates among historically marginalized populations across 9 counties in North Carolina. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey distributed at free COVID-19 testing events in underserved rural and urban communities from August 27 –December 15, 2020. Vaccine hesitancy was defined as the response of “no” or “don’t know/not sure” to whether the participant would get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it became available. Results The sample comprised 948 participants including 27.7% Whites, 59.6% Blacks, 12.7% Latinx, and 63% female. 32% earned Conclusions This study engaged the community to directly reach underserved minority populations at highest risk of COVID-19 that permitted assessment of vaccine hesitancy (which was much higher than national estimates), driven in part by distrust, and safety concerns.