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. 2022 Jun 1;17(6):e0268587.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268587. eCollection 2022.

Statewide evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Rhode Island

Brooke G Rogers  1   2   3 , Jun Tao  1   3 , Alexi Almonte  3 , Emily Toma  3 , Katherine Nagel  1 , Robert Fain  1 , Siena C Napoleon  3 , Michaela A Maynard  3 , Matthew Murphy  1 , Indra Neil Sarkar  4   5 , Philip A Chan  1   3   6
Affiliations

Statewide evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Rhode Island

Brooke G Rogers et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Vaccines are effective in preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccine hesitancy defined as delay of acceptance or refusal of the vaccine is a major barrier to effective implementation.

Methods: Participants were recruited statewide through an English and Spanish social media marketing campaign conducted by a local news station during a one-month period as vaccines were becoming available in Rhode Island (from December 21, 2020 to January 22, 2021). Participants completed an online survey about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine hesitancy with constructs and items adopted from the Health Belief Model.

Results: A total of 2,007 individuals completed the survey. Eight percent (n = 161) reported vaccine hesitancy. The sample had a median age of 58 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 45, 67), were majority female (78%), White (96%), Non-Hispanic (94%), employed (58%), and reported an annual individual income of $50,000 (59%). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with attitudes and behaviors related to COVID-19. A one unit increase in concern about COVID-19 was associated with a 69% (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.26-0.37) decrease in vaccine hesitancy. A one-level increase in the likelihood of getting influenza vaccine was associated with a 55% (AOR: 0.45 95% CI: 0.41-0.50) decrease in vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was relatively low in a state-wide survey in Rhode Island. Future research is needed to better understand and tailor messaging related to vaccine hesitancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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