Communication and Perspectives About COVID-19 and Vaccinations Among Native Americans

Rachel Ellenwood; Amanda D Boyd; Zoe Higheagle Strong

doi:10.1177/10755470221151184

Communication and Perspectives About COVID-19 and Vaccinations Among Native Americans

Sci Commun. 2023 Apr;45(2):172-194. doi: 10.1177/10755470221151184. Epub 2023 Feb 3.

Authors

Rachel Ellenwood¹, Amanda D Boyd^{1

2}, Zoe Higheagle Strong¹

Affiliations

¹ Washington State University, Pullman, USA.
² Washington State University, Seattle, USA.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected Native American people and communities across the United States. Despite unequal losses during the pandemic, Native Americans have high vaccination rates. We provide insight into perspectives of COVID-19 and vaccinations through in-depth interviews with Native Americans. Through this research, we provide a holistic view of how Native Americans perceive vaccines by pairing Indigenous perspectives of risk and the Health Belief Model. We discuss the importance of tribal sovereignty in developing health communication strategies, and the need for messaging that is trusted and culturally appropriate.

Keywords: COVID-19; Health Belief Model; Indigenous; culture; disease; elder; vaccine.