COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation Endorsement among a Sample of Native Spanish-Speakers in the US: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Limited research exists on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and misinformation among Spanish-speaking Americans.
• Understanding factors influencing vaccine acceptance is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the associations between various factors and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and misinformation endorsement in Spanish-speaking populations in the US and Puerto Rico.
• To identify key drivers for vaccine hesitancy and misinformation spread within this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing a Spanish-language survey administered from May to August 2021.
• Involved 483 Spanish speakers residing in the US and Puerto Rico.
• Multivariable Poisson regression was employed to analyze associations between independent variables and vaccine acceptance/misinformation endorsement.

Main Results:

• Vaccine acceptance positively correlated with higher COVID-19 risk perception, perceived government transparency, and trust in vaccine information.
• Misinformation endorsement was associated with lower perceived government transparency, lower trust in vaccine information, negative social media impact on confidence, and distrust in vaccines.
• Significant interactions were found regarding social media use and its role as a primary COVID-19 information source.
• Respondents with high misinformation endorsement scores showed lower vaccine acceptance.

Conclusions:

• Effective information dissemination, positive social media engagement, and government transparency are vital for increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Spanish speakers.
• Addressing misinformation and building trust are critical components of vaccine promotion strategies for this community.