Oatess, G, Examining COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the Cincinnati Refugee Community

Introduction: With the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine there has been significant COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Evaluating and addressing the reasons behind COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the refugee community is an important step in continuing to address health care disparities in this vulnerable population.

Methods: The onset of this project began with a literature review of sources discussing vaccine hesitancy in refugee communities. Specifically, sources were consulted on how to best implement surveys and projects from a place of trust to promote client participation in the project. A standardized survey was then created. This survey began with a question to assess the client’s COVID-19 vaccination status. If a client indicated they were un-vaccinated, they were then asked a series of standardized questions to determine reasons for lack of COVID-19 vaccination.  This survey was implemented verbally, both in-person and over the phone. The survey was administered to clients that are a part of the Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio Refugee Youth Mentoring program. Comparative data for overall Hamilton County, Ohio vaccination rates was collected from the CDC website. A percent difference was calculated between the Cincinnati refugee community COVID-19 vaccination rate and the overall Hamilton County, Ohio COVID-19 vaccination rate. Additionally, rates of cited reasons for vaccine hesitancy were assessed.

Results: Fourteen total clients were recruited to complete the survey. Each respondent is a refugee in the United States, with countries of birth including the Central African Republic (2/14), Rwanda (1/14), Democratic Republic of Congo (5/14), Nepal (1/14), Burundi (2/14), Tanzania (2/14), and the Republic of the Congo (1/14). Of the 14 clients surveyed, 71% (10/14) indicated that they had not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19. Twenty-nine percent (4/14) of clients surveyed indicated they were not yet vaccinated due to a lack of access to the vaccine. Twenty-nine percent (4/14) of clients surveyed indicated they had not yet received the vaccine because of concerns about vaccine safety. Twenty-one percent (3/14) of clients cited a lack of belief in the dangers of COVID-19 as a reason for vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, 7% (1/14) of clients cited concerns about vaccine effectiveness as a reason for vaccine hesitancy. When compared to the overall Hamilton County, OH COVID-19 vaccination rate, the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the surveyed Cincinnati refugee population was 43% lower.

Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination rates within the Cincinnati refugee community are notably lower than the overall Hamilton County, OH COVID-19 vaccination rates. To address this vaccination rate disparity, it will be important to address the cited reasons for lack of vaccination. Therefore, education on how to access the COVID-19 vaccine, education on COVID-19 vaccine safety, and information on the risks associated with the COVID-19 virus are needed to address vaccine hesitancy in the Cincinnati refugee community.