COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness and Barriers to Vaccination: Comparing Perceptions Based on Vaccination Status

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• New York City (NYC) was an early COVID-19 epicenter in the USA.
• COVID-19 vaccine uptake disparities existed among racial and ethnic groups, worsening health inequities.
• Understanding diverse perspectives on vaccination is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore COVID-19 vaccination status and perspectives among diverse NYC residents.
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing vaccine decision-making.
• To understand the evolution of COVID-19 related views over time.

Main Methods:

• Conducted seven focus groups (December 2021-April 2022) with NYC residents in English and Spanish.
• Participants were grouped by vaccination status: early adopters, mandate-influenced, and unvaccinated.
• Utilized framework analysis on transcripts to compare perspectives across groups.

Main Results:

• Key themes included trust in science, perceived vaccine effectiveness, and evolving COVID-19 perspectives.
• Distinctions were observed in trust and perceived effectiveness between vaccination groups.
• Cognitive biases appeared to influence perceptions more than actual vaccine-related behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Diverse New Yorkers' views on COVID-19 vaccines are complex and influenced by trust and perceived effectiveness.
• Cognitive biases may shape perceptions without directly dictating vaccine behavior.
• Findings can inform public health interventions for future epidemics.