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COVID-19 UPDATE

against receiving the COVID Figure 3: Vaccinations of Bexar County Residents by Race/Ethnicity
vaccine (Figure 1). 1 VA data included; DOD data not included
The media has focused on the
Republican vs. Democratic di-
vide evidenced in these surveys.
However, a recent article pub-
lished in the May 24, 2021 New
York Times, “The Morning” on-
line newsletter argues that the
vaccination rate differences are
more of a class divide between
those with college degrees and
Data provided by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Division of Epidemiology
those without, rather than poli-
3
tics or race.
The data in Figure 2 shows a random survey of Figure 4: Vaccine Attitudes
2,097 adults conducted from April 15 to April 29,
2021. Not all rows total 100 percent. Some par-
ticipants did not give an answer.
In Bexar County, results from focus groups
conducted by the NIH-funded Project, Commu-
nity Engagement Alliance (CEAL), concluded
that vaccine hesitancy was high in the county’s
communities of color. (CEALing the COVID- By New York Times author Sema K. Sgaier of the Surgo Foundation, adjunct assistant
19 Loopholes Project CEAL (Bexar County). professor at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard
The work was completed as part of the Commu-
nity Assessment Methods course offered at the UT Health School of Studies on the effect of personal attitudes toward COVID vaccine
Public Health and overseen by Drs. Valerio and Whigham and Teach- uptake are taking place, although results must be viewed with caution.
ing Assistant Dennis O. Nyachoti. All work was completed during the Much of our information on public perception comes from online
Spring 2021 term. This conclusion is supported by recent county data and telephone surveys or focus groups which, while rapid, face chal-
collected from the state’s immunization registry, although ‘vaccine lenges obtaining representative samples that allow scientists to quan-
challenges’ remain another reason for lower vaccination rates. tify and understand with any certainty the extent of COVID-19
vaccine hesitancy. In an opinion article published by the New York
THE WHY Times author Sema K. Sgaier of the Surgo Foundation and an adjunct
The vaccine challenged remain unvaccinated, but for reasons other assistant professor at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard
than choice. At first, changing eligibility guidelines and the need for suggested that, based on telephone and online surveys of over 4,400
an appointment were confusing, time consuming and difficult to nav- adults conducted in late 2020/early 2021 and again in March 2021,
igate. In addition, work, child care and transportation for either the those who were vaccine hesitant could be placed in one of four types
vaccinee or the person transporting them can be barriers. These num- (Figure 4):
bers should decrease as the vaccines are more equitably distributed
and vaccination sites are becoming more available around the county. • Watchful – They are waiting to see what happens next.
The vaccine hesitant, who include some health care providers, have • Cost Anxious – They want the vaccine but can’t afford the time
chosen not to be vaccinated right now. Prior COVID infections, con- or cost.
cerns over vaccine side effects, previous bad experiences with vaccines, • System Distrusters – They feel the health care system does not
as well as historical vaccine abuses by governments are reasons why treat them fairly.
some choose to wait. Other reasons include misinformation on factors • COVID Skeptics – They don’t believe the threat.
such as costs, citizenship status requirements and medical risks asso- The remaining persons are “Enthusiasts.”
4
ciated with the vaccine.
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