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Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Vaccine Hesitancy in Central Texas Immediately Prior to COVID-19 Vaccine Availability

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  • John R. Litaker

    (Office of Population Health and Science, The Litaker Group, LLC, Austin, TX 78716, USA)

  • Naomi Tamez

    (Office of Population Health, Sendero Health Plans, Inc., Austin, TX 78741, USA)

  • Carlos Lopez Bray

    (Office of Population Health, Sendero Health Plans, Inc., Austin, TX 78741, USA)

  • Wesley Durkalski

    (Sendero Health Plans, Inc., Austin, TX 78741, USA)

  • Richard Taylor

    (Undergraduate Public Health Program, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

Abstract

Vaccine-induced herd immunity remains the best opportunity for ending the COVID-19 pandemic. However, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is a real concern. In this paper, we report on vaccine hesitancy in Central Texas immediately prior to the release of the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in late December 2020. A total of 1648 individuals 18 years or older with health insurance living in Central Texas completed a survey on sociodemographic factors and plans to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. Of the respondents, 64.1% planned to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. Logistic regression identified the following sociodemographic factors associated with vaccine hesitancy: Black or African American race (POR: 0.351, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.211, 0.584), female sex (POR: 0.650, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.518, 0.816), age of 35–49 years old (POR: 0.689, p = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.534, 0.890), annual household income of less than US$10,000 (POR: 0.565, p = 0.041, 95% CI: 0.327, 0.976), a high school education or less (POR: 0.565, p = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.401, 0.795), and a high school education but less than a 4-year college degree (POR: 0.572, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.442, 0.739). Real-world evidence provided by individuals on plans to get vaccinated can reveal COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy associated heterogeneity.

Suggested Citation

  • John R. Litaker & Naomi Tamez & Carlos Lopez Bray & Wesley Durkalski & Richard Taylor, 2021. "Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Vaccine Hesitancy in Central Texas Immediately Prior to COVID-19 Vaccine Availability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:368-:d:714478
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ojha, R.P. & Stallings-Smith, S. & Flynn, P.M. & Adderson, E.E. & Offutt-Powell, T.N. & Gaur, A.H., 2015. "The impact of vaccine concerns on racial/ethnic disparities in influenza vaccine uptake among health care workers," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(9), pages 35-41.
    2. Prislin, R. & Dyer, J.A. & Blakely, C.H. & Johnson, C.D., 1998. "Immunization status and sociodemographic characteristics: The mediating role of beliefs, attitudes, and perceived control," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(12), pages 1821-1826.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fangfei Wang & Sifan Zhang & Lei Lei, 2022. "Appealing to Individual Fears or Social Norms: How Can the Public Be Persuaded to Accept COVID-19 Vaccination through Risk Communication?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Hein de Vries & Wouter Verputten & Christian Preissner & Gerjo Kok, 2022. "COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: The Role of Information Sources and Beliefs in Dutch Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-17, March.

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