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COVID-19 Vaccine Willingness and Hesitancy Among Marshallese Pacific Islanders.

Authors :: McElfish PA
Willis DE
Bogulski C
Kelen M
Riklon S
Alik E
Laelan M
Brown AL
Sinclair KA
Andersen JA
Amick BC 3rd
Williams M
Source :: Journal of patient experience [J Patient Exp] 2021 Nov 18; Vol. 8, pp. 23743735211056428. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Nov 18 (Print Publication: 2021).
Publication Year :: 2021
Abstract: COVID-19 has disproportionally burdened racial and ethnic minorities. Minority populations report greater COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy; however, no studies document COVID-19 vaccine willingness among Marshallese or any Pacific Islander group, who are often underrepresented in research. This study documents United States (US) Marshallese Pacific Islanders': willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine, willingness to participate in vaccine trials, and sociodemographic factors associated with willingness. From July 27, 2020-November 22, 2020, a convenience sample of US Marshallese adults were recruited through e-mail, phone calls, and a Marshallese community Facebook page to participate in an online survey. Of those surveyed (n = 120), 32.5% were extremely likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine; 20.8% were somewhat likely; 14.2% were unlikely or very unlikely; and 26.7% stated they did not know or were not sure. Only 16.7% stated they were willing to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial. Vaccine willingness was positively associated with older age, higher income, and longer US residence. Health insurance status and having a primary care provider were positively associated with vaccine willingness. Findings demonstrate within-group variation in COVID-19 vaccine willingness.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.<br /> (© The Author(s) 2021.)