24 COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Emergency Department Patients and Caregivers in New York City

Study Objective: Many studies to date have looked at reasons for patient hesitancy or refusal to vaccinate. Demographic and socioeconomic factors, safety concerns, and beliefs about vaccines impact a patient or parent’s willingness to vaccinate. The speed of vaccine development and approval, divisive political climate surrounding COVID-19, underlying suspicion or lack of education about the virus, and effects of social media are factors that may make a COVID-19 vaccine uniquely contentious compared to other vaccines. Several studies have recently looked at vaccine hesitancy specifically related to COVID-19, exploring factors such as personal experience with COVID-19, personal knowledge about the virus, perception of virus severity, general confidence in vaccines, and trust in biomedical science and health care professionals. Recently, citywide studies have shown the disparities of vaccine uptake among various demographic groups;only 33% of Black adults have taken a vaccine dose while the rate for Hispanic adults is 4%;50% for white adults, and 70% for Asian adults. We believe the emergency department provides the opportunity to investigate and close these gaps by addressing hesitancy and offering the vaccine in the emergency department. Methods: We developed a questionnaire to evaluate patients’ and caregivers’ attitudes and knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine and investigate the reasons for the vaccine hesitancy amongst patients in the emergency department. Adult patients and caregivers of children 0-17 years were asked to complete this survey voluntarily using a QR code and a link to the questionnaire. Results: To date, 66 respondents accessed and completed the survey (34 adults and 32 caregivers). Though 64% of adult patients and 81% of caregivers thought that the COVID vaccine would be beneficial to their community, many were unsure or reported they would not take the vaccine. 56% of adult patients and 59% of caregivers were hesitant to receive the vaccine for themselves and 48% of caregivers were hesitant to give the COVID-19 vaccine to their children. The most commonly cited reasons being concern about safety of the vaccine and its side effects and poor understanding of the vaccine. 90% of the adult patients and 83% of caregivers stated they would take the vaccine for themselves in the emergency department if offered, and 85% of caregivers would consider giving it to their children. Many respondents belonged to communities of color (Black 16-36%, Hispanic 73-82%), where vaccine uptake was the least. Conclusion: The emergency department can address patients’ vaccine hesitancy and alleviate the disparities by making vaccines available in the emergency department.