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. 2023 Aug;28(6):853-873.
doi: 10.1080/13557858.2023.2191914. Epub 2023 Apr 2.

Vaccine perceptions among Black adults with long COVID

Samantha G Dell'Imperio  1 , Deena Aboul-Hassan  1 , Rachel Batchelor  2 , Keiyana Chambers-Peeple  1 , Daniel J Clauw  1 , Melissa DeJonckheere  3 , Rachel S Bergmans  3
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Vaccine perceptions among Black adults with long COVID

Samantha G Dell'Imperio et al. Ethn Health. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: Low uptake of COVID vaccines within Black communities is a concern given the stark racial inequities associated with the pandemic. Prior research details COVID vaccine perceptions within the general population and Black communities specifically. However, Black individuals with long COVID may be more or less receptive to future COVID vaccination than their peers without long COVID. The impact of COVID vaccination on long COVID symptoms is still controversial, since some studies suggest that vaccination can improve long COVID symptoms, whereas other studies report no significant change in symptoms or a worsening of symptoms. In this study, we aimed to characterize the factors influencing perceptions of COVID vaccines among Black adults with long COVID to inform future vaccine-related policies and interventions.

Design: We conducted 15 semi-structured, race-concordant interviews over Zoom with adults who reported physical or mental health symptoms that lingered for a month or more after acute COVID infection. We transcribed and anonymized the interviews and implemented inductive, thematic analysis to identify factors influencing COVID vaccine perceptions and the vaccine decision-making process.

Results: We identified five themes that influenced vaccine perceptions: (1) Vaccine safety and efficacy; (2) Social implications of vaccination status; (3) Navigating and interpreting vaccine-related information; (4) Possibility of abuse and exploitation by the government and scientific community; and (5) Long COVID status. Safety concerns were amplified by long COVID status and mistrust in social systems due to mistreatment of the Black community.

Conclusions: Among the factors influencing COVID vaccine perceptions, participants reported a desire to avoid reinfection and a negative immune response. As COVID reinfection and long COVID become more common, achieving adequate uptake of COVID vaccines and boosters may require approaches that are tailored in partnership with the long COVID patient community.

Keywords: Community-based participatory research; coronavirus vaccines; health equity; healthcare disparities; long COVID; qualitative research.

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Conflict of interest statement

DECLARATION OF INTEREST STATEMENT:

Drs. Rachel S. Bergmans and Daniel J. Clauw report consulting fees from Tonix Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A timeline of study interviews relative to vaccine development in the USA. FDA = USA Food and Drug Administration; EUA = Emergency use authorization.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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