From the MCMS

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified health and social disparities that affected minority groups in the United States. This situation has been reflected in many aspects of health, including increased morbidity and mortality, reduced adherence to medical and scientific recommendations, and less access to healthcare. Understanding the population’s specific sociodemographic and cultural characteristics may serve as a catalyst to address the gaps and concerns, reduce health care inequities, increase compliance, and improve health and social-related short and long-term outcomes.

The FDA officially approved the first COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer in late December 2020 for people above 16 years old, and after those two more vaccines (Moderna and J and J) were approved. Later in the Spring of 2021, the Pfizer vaccine was authorized to expand to an age range from 12 years and older, and in the Fall of 2021, the Pfizer vaccine was expanded to use on five years and above. Now the vaccines are broadly available in the US, but there is an evident skepticism from the marginalized communities to get vaccinated.

Given the importance of vaccination to alleviate the devastating effects of this pandemic, multiple studies evaluating vaccine acceptance rates were conducted from the beginning. In addition, several studies targeted marginalized groups known for their high hesitancy regarding vaccination. Numerous data from these studies showed that they don’t trust the healthcare system due to the systemic racism and discrimination from prior episodes on medical history.

A recent review revealed an overall prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy of 26.3%, with a little higher percentage in the Black/African American and Latinx communities. The significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy were sociodemographic characteristics, medical mistrust, and history of racial discrimination. Other reasons included:  Misinformation.  Perceived risk of getting infected.  Beliefs about vaccines.  Concerns about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.

We know that marginalized communities have a higher prevalence of many conditions that lead to poor health and chronic diseases, which could worsen their outcome if they became infected with COVID-19. Additionally, the misinformation provided through social platforms contributed to hesitancy towards vaccination.

Several strategies have been implemented to decrease misinformation and disinformation and, with this, reduce vaccine hesitancy. Some projects focus on using social media as a platform to spread the word. Hashtags of #thisisourshot, #vacunateya, #vaccinate4all are some of the efforts that have had a significant impact on younger people. Other methods like using the community centers, knocking door by door, and putting a trusted physician on the TV and radio have helped to educate patients.

The marginalized communities need more, not just from the physician community but from the local, state, and federal government, to change their perspective.

The pandemic has highlighted healthcare disparities amongst marginalized groups. Promoting health equity for minority groups will alleviate these groups’ differences and help mitigate vaccine hesitancy and improve compliance with preventive measures. All these will allow more underrepresented minorities to receive vaccines and reduce the burden vaccinepreventable diseases have on such groups in society.

Respectfully,

Ricardo Correa, MD, EdD, FACP, FACE MCMS Board President

Dr. Ricardo Correa is an endocrinologist at the Phoenix VA Medical Center. He is also the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fellowship Director, Director of Diversity GME, and Chair of the GME Diversity Subcommittee for the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix. Dr. Correa is the Health Equity Fellowship Director for the Creighton School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Phoenix Allies for Community Health (PACH) Clinic. He is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve.