Community organization perspectives on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and how they increased COVID-19 vaccine confidence: a Canadian Immunization Research Network, social sciences and humanities network study

Sarah Ashfield; Lorie Donelle; Gina Uppal; Michael A Bauer; Anita Kothari

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1258742

Community organization perspectives on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and how they increased COVID-19 vaccine confidence: a Canadian Immunization Research Network, social sciences and humanities network study

Front Public Health. 2023 Oct 2:11:1258742. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1258742. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Sarah Ashfield¹, Lorie Donelle^{1

2}, Gina Uppal¹, Michael A Bauer³, Anita Kothari^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
² Emily Myrtle Smith Endowed Professor of Nursing, Biobehavioral Health and Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.
³ Department of Computer Science, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
⁴ School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 vaccines play a critical role in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and despite vaccine availability, disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Canadian subgroups exist. Community organizations are uniquely situated to relay important vaccine messaging around all vaccines, understand components of vaccine hesitancy, and facilitate vaccine uptake within the communities they serve. The objective of this research was to solicit community organizations perspectives specific to COVID-19 vaccines and explore strategies of increasing vaccine uptake within their communities.

Methods: A qualitative focus group study was held in the spring of 2021 with 40 community organizations from across the country. Discussions focused on COVID-19 vaccine communication and awareness within their communities, vaccine misinformation, and strategies to increase vaccine acceptance and access. Data were analyzed utilizing thematic and inductive techniques.

Results: Vaccine hesitancy was identified among staff and clients. Vaccine confidence, complacency, convenience, and mistrust in government and authorities were identified as contributors to vaccine hesitancy. Community organizations utilized innovative and novel methods to encourage vaccine uptake and increase vaccine confidence. Leveraging established trusting relationships was key to successful messaging within communities.

Conclusion: Community organizations used innovative methods, built on established trust, to increase vaccine confidence within their communities and among their staff. Community agencies played an important role in COVID-19 vaccine uptake within subgroups of the Canadian population. Community organizations are key public health partners and play a critical role in increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence.

Keywords: COVID-19; community organizations; trust; vaccine confidence; vaccine hesitancy; vaccines.

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Vaccines*
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Canada
Humanities
Humans
Immunization
SARS-CoV-2
Social Networking

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines

Grants and funding

CIHR/Canada