Engaging Latino Families About COVID-19 Vaccines: A Qualitative Study Conducted in Oregon, USA
How do Latino families in Oregon perceive and make decisions about COVID-19 vaccines, and what culturally appropriate strategies would be most effective to increase vaccine acceptance in these communities?
College of Health researcher(s)
College unit(s)
Abstract
Objectives
Latinos are disproportionately vulnerable to severe COVID-19 due to workplace exposure, multigenerational households, and existing health disparities. Rolling out COVID-19 vaccines among vulnerable Latinos is critical to address disparities. This study explores vaccine perceptions of Latino families to inform culturally centered strategies for vaccine dissemination.
Method
Semistructured telephone interviews with Latino families (22 mothers and 24 youth, 13–18 years old) explored COVID-19 vaccine perceptions including (1) sources of information, (2) trust of vaccine effectiveness and willingness to get vaccinated, and (3) access to the vaccine distribution. We identified thematic patterns using immersion–crystallization.
Results
We found that (1) 41% expressed optimism and willingness to receive the vaccine coupled with concerns about side effects; (2) 45% expressed hesitancy or would refuse vaccination based on mistrust, myths, fear of being used as “guinea pigs,” and the perceived role of politics in vaccine development; (3) families “digested” information gathered from social media, the news, and radio through intergenerational communication; and (4) participants called for community-led advocacy and “leading by example” to dispel fear and misinformation. Optimistic participants saw the vaccine as a way to protect their families, allowing youth to return to schools and providing safer conditions for frontline essential workers.
Conclusions
Culturally centered vaccine promotion campaigns may consider the Latino family unit as their target audience by providing information that can be discussed among parents and youth, engaging a range of health providers and advocates that includes traditional practitioners and community health workers, and disseminating information at key venues, such as schools, churches, and supermarkets.
Frequently Asked Questions: Latino Families and COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions in Oregon
How were Latino communities in Oregon disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic according to this study?
The study highlights that while Latinos represented 13.4% of Oregon's population, they accounted for 27% of COVID-19 infections. This was exacerbated by factors such as a higher prevalence of underlying health conditions (like type 2 diabetes and obesity), larger multigenerational households increasing vulnerability to infection, and a significant number working as frontline essential workers in industries like food, factories, and construction, leading to greater exposure. Despite this vulnerability, Latinos in Oregon accounted for a significantly lower percentage of administered vaccinations at the time of the study.
What were the primary perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among the Latino families interviewed in this study?
The study identified a spectrum of perceptions. Approximately 41% of participants expressed optimism and willingness to receive the vaccine, often viewing it as a way to protect their families, allow children to return to school, and create safer conditions for essential workers. However, this optimism was often tempered by concerns about potential side effects. Conversely, 45% expressed hesitancy or outright refusal based on mistrust of medical and political institutions, fear of being used as "guinea pigs," the perceived role of politics in vaccine development, and misinformation, including myths.
What role did "familismo" (family-centeredness) play in the Latino families' perceptions and decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccines?
"Familismo," the strong cultural value emphasizing family unity, support, and obligation, significantly influenced vaccine perceptions. The study found that Latino families often considered vaccination as a means to protect the entire family's well-being. This collectivist value was a key motivator for those who were optimistic about the vaccine. Health decisions were often made within the family unit, emphasizing commitment, loyalty, and obligation to kin. Researchers suggested that culturally centered campaigns should target the family unit and highlight the vaccine's role in safeguarding family health and socioeconomic stability.
What were the main sources of information about COVID-19 and vaccines for the Latino families in the study, and how was this information processed?
Latino families in the study gathered information from a variety of sources, including social media (like Facebook), news outlets (including Spanish-language news like Telemundo and Univision), and radio. Importantly, the study found that this information was "digested" and its trustworthiness evaluated through intergenerational communication within the family. Children often shared news they learned from school or the internet with their parents, and family members working in healthcare were considered particularly reliable sources. This intergenerational dialogue played a crucial role in shaping perceptions and decisions about vaccination.
What were the key reasons behind vaccine hesitancy among the Latino families interviewed?
Vaccine hesitancy was primarily rooted in mistrust of medical and political institutions. This mistrust stemmed from historical experiences with structural discrimination, fears related to immigration laws and "public charge" policies, and concerns about the speed of vaccine development and potential side effects. Some participants feared being used as "guinea pigs" in vaccine trials, a concern possibly linked to a lack of culturally resonant information about clinical trials and historical trauma related to population control in Latin America. Misinformation and conspiracy theories circulating on social media, such as the idea of microchips being implanted with the vaccine, also contributed to hesitancy.
How did the study participants suggest public health efforts could effectively engage Latino communities about COVID-19 vaccines and build trust?
Participants emphasized the need for culturally centered vaccine promotion campaigns that target the Latino family unit and involve trusted community members. They suggested disseminating accurate information at key community venues like schools, churches (especially Catholic churches), libraries, supermarkets, district welcome centers, and Latino community health clinics. Utilizing well-known Latino leaders, advocacy groups, and community health workers (CHWs) to share information and personal testimonies ("leading by example") was seen as crucial for dispelling fear and misinformation. Participants also stressed the importance of transparency regarding why certain groups might be prioritized for vaccination to avoid reinforcing feelings of being experimented on.
What role do Community Health Workers (CHWs) play in addressing vaccine hesitancy within Latino communities, according to the study and its findings?
The study highlighted the critical role of CHWs in building trust and facilitating vaccine education and access within Latino communities. CHWs, often members of the community themselves, can bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, provide answers to community concerns in an accessible manner, and navigate complex health systems. Their personal connections and shared experiences can be particularly effective in addressing vaccine hesitancy rooted in mistrust and misinformation. The study suggests that CHWs are vital for outreach efforts, providing culturally sensitive information, and building confidence in vaccination.
What are the implications of this study for designing public health interventions aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Latino communities?
The study underscores the need for public health interventions to adopt a culturally centered, family-focused approach when engaging Latino communities about COVID-19 vaccines. Messaging should emphasize the vaccine's role in protecting family well-being and socioeconomic stability, tapping into the value of "familismo." Interventions should prioritize transparent and culturally relevant communication through trusted messengers (like community leaders and CHWs) and in accessible community venues. Addressing historical mistrust, acknowledging potential fears of being experimented on, and actively combating misinformation through intergenerational dialogue and community-led initiatives are crucial for building vaccine confidence and achieving equitable vaccine distribution.