Association between Socioeconomic Status and Vaccination Hesitancy, Reluctancy and Confidence among Asian-Americans Living in the State of New Jersey.

BACKGROUD: Socioeconomic status (SES) plays a vital role in determining vaccination uptake and attitudes. Vaccine hesitancy varies among different communities, yet knowledge of vaccine attitudes among Asian-Americans is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the relationship between SES and vaccine attitudes among Asian-Americans in the State of New Jersey (NJ). METHODS: Asian-Americans aged ≥ 18 years living in NJ were included (N = 157). SES was measured by education level, employment type, employment status, and household income. The primary outcomes were vaccine hesitancy, reluctance, and confidence for COVID-19, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associations between SES and vaccine hesitancy while controlling for confounders such as age, gender, birthplace, and religion. RESULTS: Among 157 participants, 12.1% reported vaccine hesitancy. There was no statistically significant association between vaccine hesitancy and education level (p = 0.68), employment status (p = 1), employment type (p = 0.48), and household income (p = 0.15). Multivariable logistic regression modeling confirmed that none of the SES predictor variables were associated with vaccine hesitancy. However, as exploratory finding, gender was found to be a significant predictor, with males having lower odds of vaccine hesitancy than females (Adjusted OR = 0.14; p < 0.05). Confidence in influenza and pneumococcal vaccines increased during the pandemic, from 62.34% to 70.13% and from 59.2% to 70.51%, respectively. For the COVID-19 vaccine, 73.1% of participants reported having "a lot of confidence" in taking vaccine. CONCLUSION: Most sampled Asian-Americans in NJ have high confidence in taking COVID-19 vaccines, and there is no significant association between vaccine hesitancy and SES.

COVID-19 vaccination and the power of rumors: Why we must "Tune in".

Rumors have significantly affected immunization campaigns in the past. The ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program in India needs to frame public communication messages both to promote vaccine demand and update as well as counter COVID-related rumors. COVID-related rumors have had wide-ranging effects in the country, from stigmatization of health workers to a crash of prices in the poultry sector. Appropriate communication strategies are critical for tracking, negotiating, and shaping perceptions around the vaccines and the program. Issues that will shape perceptions around the vaccines include product development, prioritization strategies, program rollout activities, and adverse effects following immunization and adverse effects of special interest.