Assessing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Trust in Home Health Workers in New York City: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to identify characteristics surrounding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and trust in home health workers (HHWs) in New York City. Methods Data was collected from HHWs through focus group sessions conducted via Zoom. We developed a facilitator guide using the 5C Scale, a validated psychometric tool for assessing vaccine hesitancy. We performed qualitative thematic analysis using a combined inductive and deductive approach. Results Major themes that emerged included: conflicting information decreased vaccine confidence; individualized outreach is valued when information gathering; mandates and financial incentives may increase skepticism; low health literacy and conflict in personal relationships are barriers to acceptance; and experiencing a severe infection and fear of exposure at work increase acceptance. Conclusion Based on our study, personalized yet consistent messaging may be key to reaching hesitant HHWs.