Statewide evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Rhode Island

by Brooke G. Rogers, Jun Tao, Alexi Almonte, Emily Toma, Katherine Nagel, Robert Fain, Siena C. Napoleon, Michaela A. Maynard, Matthew Murphy, Indra Neil Sarkar, Philip A. Chan

Vaccines are effective in preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccine hesitancy defined as delay of acceptance or refusal of the vaccine is a major barrier to effective implementation.

Participants were recruited statewide through an English and Spanish social media marketing campaign conducted by a local news station during a one-month period as vaccines were becoming available in Rhode Island (from December 21, 2020 to January 22, 2021). Participants completed an online survey about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine hesitancy with constructs and items adopted from the Health Belief Model.

A total of 2,007 individuals completed the survey. Eight percent (n = 161) reported vaccine hesitancy. The sample had a median age of 58 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 45, 67), were majority female (78%), White (96%), Non-Hispanic (94%), employed (58%), and reported an annual individual income of $50,000 (59%). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with attitudes and behaviors related to COVID-19. A one unit increase in concern about COVID-19 was associated with a 69% (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.26–0.37) decrease in vaccine hesitancy. A one-level increase in the likelihood of getting influenza vaccine was associated with a 55% (AOR: 0.45 95% CI: 0.41–0.50) decrease in vaccine hesitancy.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was relatively low in a state-wide survey in Rhode Island. Future research is needed to better understand and tailor messaging related to vaccine hesitancy.