Engaging Stakeholders in Vaccine Hesitancy Intervention Design

Objective: There is a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infection, adverse outcomes, and vaccine hesitancy among Black individuals with rheumatic conditions, paralleling the general population. We leveraged community stakeholder and physician interviews to inform a Popular Opinion Leader (POL) COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy training curriculum. The curriculum will be used to disseminate vaccine-related information among POL social networks, with the goal of increasing vaccine uptake in Black individuals with rheumatic conditions.

Methods: We identified physicians and community leaders and conducted approximately 30-minute semi-structured interviews. Participants were queried about community and patient opinions on vaccines, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and effective strategies for information dissemination. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically.

Results: We conducted interviews with community stakeholders (n=7) and physicians (n=8). Qualitative analyses revealed themes including mistrust in the vaccine development process, healthcare systems, and the government, often rooted in racist and historical injustices. Additionally, participants voiced concerns regarding access, apathy, safety, and misinformation/mixed messaging. Strategies for vaccine related information dissemination included personal storytelling with an iterative and empathetic approach, while protecting POL well-being.

Conclusion: Actions to increase vaccine uptake among Black individuals should acknowledge and respond to racial/ethnic and socioeconomic injustices that engender vaccine hesitancy with compassionate and tailored messaging.