COVID-19 Vaccine Sentiments Among African American or Black Adolescents in Rural Alabama

Abstract

\n Considering the urgent need to increase vaccine uptake in Alabama, a rural state with the lowest levels of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, we conducted an exploratory study to elucidate sentiments toward vaccination among African American or Black adolescents. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15-17 year olds in rural Alabama (N=28). About 54% of our sample were female. Nearly a third lived with an older family member; 18% knew someone who contracted COVID-19. Using Rapid Qualitative Analysis, three COVID-19 vaccine-related themes emerged: influence of community leaders and older family members, fear of side effects and mis-information, and institutional distrust. To address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among rural African American or Black adolescents, we suggest adopting a socioecological approach to public health messaging that addressed mis-information and government distrust, and is delivered by local influencers with the social capital necessary to promote behavior change, namely older family members and Church officials.\n