A meta-analysis of COVID-19 vaccines acceptance among black/African American

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had harmed Black/African Americans disproportionately. Mortality and morbidity can reduce by increasing vaccination acceptability and availability. We conducted a meta-analysis of 20 studies that show the prevalence of Black/African Americans who embrace COVID-19 vaccination between 2020 and September, 2022. Investigations conducted before and after the availability of COVID-19 vaccines found the vaccinations effective. The heterogeneity was examined using stratified analyses, the meta-regression approach, and sensitivity analysis in R programming language. This meta-analysis showed that the overall COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Black/African Americans is 35% (95% CI: 26%–45%). That means 65% of Black African Americans received vaccines without any hesitancy. According to correlation analysis, there was a negative relationship (r = -0.392, P = 0.021) between the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and the survey year. Evidence suggests ethnic health disparities in Black/African Americans were for lower socioeconomic status. Some initiatives had to address health disparities, while ethnicity had not consistently been a focus. Only vaccines can prevent COVID-19 like infectious diseases. Policy makers and health educators should concern on vaccine acceptance or hesitancy related programs among Black/African American.

Keywords

• Meta-analysis
• COVID-19 vaccine acceptance
• Black/African American