Trust and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among at-risk Adolescents

• In Event: Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: PS 14 Topic - Solicited Content: COVID-19 Related

Abstract

Adolescents are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection due to occupation, overcrowded households, and frequent gatherings outside the household. Adolescents of color are more susceptible to chronic diseases associated with severe symptoms or death from COVID-19 (Gray et al. 2020).A study by Fisher et al, 2020 found that 48% of the U.S. population has expressed hesitancy towards getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Understanding vaccine intentions, and determinants, among adolescents most at risk for infection will be crucial for controlling spread. Lower trust in health information and providers can contribute to vaccine hesitancy (Quinn et al, 2020), and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased health misinformation and lack of trust in the development of vaccines, especially among adolescents of color (Fisher et al, 2020). The current study examines COVID-19 prevention behaviors and the association between intentions to get the vaccine and trust in government and medical authorities among high-risk adolescents.
Adolescents at-risk for HIV enrolled in Adolescent Trials Network (ATN) CARES Study were recruited (n=83). ATN CARES defines at-risk based on: sexual, gender, and racial/ethnic minority status; lifetime history of homelessness, incarceration, or mental health hospitalization; and recent (last 12 months) high-risk sexual or substance use behaviors [Swendeman et al. 2019]. Participants self-reported demographic information and assessments on COVID-19 vaccine intentions, trust in healthcare information, and prevention behaviors using Qualtrics.
Participants were on average 23 years old (SD=2.3), and the majority self-identified as Latinx (52%), cisgender male (84%), and homosexual (66%). Many had health insurance (74%), were employed part- or full-time (57%) and engaged in COVID-19 prevention behaviors frequently such as wearing face masks (90%), washing hands (84%), and staying six feet apart (70%). Lower proportions reported leaving home only for essential activities (57%) and limiting contact to those in one’s home (43%). Over one third (35%) reported not intending to get the COVID-19 vaccine citing mistrust in vaccines, and concerns regarding side effects. A substantial proportion of participants reported they infrequently trust the government (70%), their doctor (42%), CDC (45%), WHO (58%), and FDA (70%) concerning COVID-19 related information and vaccines which is associated with non-intention to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
This study investigated the relationship between trust in medical and governmental institutions and intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents at-risk for HIV. Findings demonstrate an association between low trust in government and non-compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Approximately one third of study participants reported no intention of getting the COVID-19 vaccine citing lack of trust in personal doctors, government, and public health agencies. The CDC found young adults now account for a higher proportion of new COVID-19 cases than any other group in the U.S. Approximately half of participants reported they infrequently limit their contact to those in their household or leave home only for essential activities. Adolescents may be priority for the COVID-19 vaccination. Public health interventions are needed to restore trust in governmental messaging and strengthen relationships between patients and doctors to improve vaccine acceptability.

Authors

• Elizabeth H Shaw, Palo Alto University
  Presenting Author

• Anne Fehrenbacher
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jessica Saleska, University of California, Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author

• Eleanor M Vincent, Palo Alto University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ciara L Field, Palo Alto University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Joan Christodoulou, Palo Alto University
  Non-Presenting Author