Smith); Invisible Men (
Ojikutu)
"Although providing information about the vaccine is important and necessary for increasing trust, it is insufficient by itself to prompt behavior change."
Evidence to date suggests that the percentage of Black individuals who show COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has stayed consistently high, relative to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States (US), since April 2020. Black communities in the US have suffered a long history of discrimination, racism, and harmful experiences on the part of the healthcare system, healthcare providers, and the US government. Due to the concern that lower vaccination rates among Black Americans would further widen COVID-19 inequities in diagnosis, hospitalisation, and mortality, these researchers conducted a survey of Black Americans, with follow-up interviews, to better understand the drivers of their reluctance. Based on the findings, they engaged with community stakeholders to identify public health messaging and communication strategies for addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and increasing vaccination in Black communities.