Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Underserved Populations

Author

KeNecia DonesFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-2023

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Laurie Hopper

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Jerrica Ampadu

Keywords

COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy, underserved populations, disparities, Racial/Ethnic minorities

Abstract

Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to limit the spread of infectious diseases and reduce mortality and morbidity in the United States, especially in underserved populations. African Americans and Latinos are eight times more likely to die than White Non-Hispanic populations of COVID-19-related complications. Although vaccines are currently offered and approved to anyone over 5 years old in the United States, there continues to be vaccine hesitancy in the underserved population. The purpose of this project was to understand vaccine hesitancy in underserved populations to promote vaccine confidence and build trust in patients to the point where they will seek to be vaccinated. The setting for this project was a local health department in an underserved community of East St. Louis, IL that provides both COVID-19 vaccinations and testing free of charge. With the demands of COVID-19, education is important. Providing patients with proper education helps patients understand the disease process and avoid misinformation from unreliable sources. Questionnaires were provided to patients during COVID-19 testing to understand vaccination status, reasons for not being vaccinated, and offered vaccine if applicable.

Keywords: COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy, underserved populations, disparities, Racial/Ethnic minorities

Recommended Citation

Dones, KeNecia, "Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Underserved Populations" (2023). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 243.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/243

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