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. 2022 Nov-Dec;16(6):695-701.
doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001002. Epub 2022 Jul 8.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Concerns Among People Who Use Drugs in Oregon

Erin Stack  1 , Sarah Shin, Kate LaForge, Justine Pope, Gillian Leichtling, Jessica E Larsen, Mikaela Byers, Judith M Leahy, Daniel Hoover, Laura Chisholm, P Todd Korthuis
Affiliations

COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Concerns Among People Who Use Drugs in Oregon

Erin Stack et al. J Addict Med. 2022 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and explore reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among people who use drugs (PWUDs), a population with increased COVID-19 transmission and morbidity.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with PWUDs in 7 Oregon counties from May 11 to June 25, 2021. Participants (n = 34) were recruited in partnership with syringe service programs and local community organizations staff, participant-referrals, and flyer advertising. Research staff conducted interviews via telephone to assess participants' acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine, find knowledge gaps where new educational information about vaccination would be helpful, and identify who would be perceived as a trustworthy source of information. Interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis with a deductive approach.

Results: Most participants had not received the COVID-19 vaccine and were not planning on or were unsure about receiving it. Participants were mistrustful of the rapid COVID-19 vaccine development process, the agencies involved in the development, and vaccines in general. Participants shared varied and contrasting responses about who they would trust to provide information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including peer recovery support specialists, doctors, or other health care professionals, and specified federal agencies or media outlets.

Conclusions: As addiction medicine and public health staff continue to respond to the evolving impacts of COVID-19, vaccination planning should be tailored to the unique needs of PWUD to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in this high-risk population.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

References

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