Exploring Vaccine Hesitancy, Structural Barriers, and Trust in Vaccine Information Among Populations Living in the Rural Southern United States

作者：Alice R. Richman, Abby Schwartz, Sarah B. Maness, Leslie Sanchez, Essie Torres · 发表于：Vaccines · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3390/vaccines13070699 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy、Health Literacy and Information Accessibility、Misinformation and Its Impacts

INTRODUCTION: In the United States, vaccine hesitancy is higher among rural and racially and ethnically diverse communities, and messaging from trusted individuals may increase vaccine acceptance. The purpose of this study is to understand vaccine hesitancy, messaging from trusted individuals, and vaccine acceptance strategies among racially and ethnically diverse, medically underserved rural populations. METHODS: = 119). Thematic analysis was used to synthesize insights from the discussions, allowing for the identification of recurring patterns and community-specific considerations regarding vaccine perceptions and messaging. RESULTS: The researchers identified seven key themes within the primary focus areas of the study: factors influencing vaccine hesitancy, messaging from trusted individuals, and strategies to improve vaccine acceptance. Participants reported differences in trust based on how long a vaccine has been available, concerns about becoming sick after a vaccine, seeing the symptoms of vaccine-preventable diseases, and misinformation on social media. Overall, participants reported trust in messages from medical providers. Trusted leaders advised people to conduct their own research on vaccines when determining whether to receive vaccinations. Lastly, social determinants such as cost, education, and transportation were identified as key barriers to vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that medical providers are trusted messengers for vaccine information...