COVID-19 Vaccination Status Surveying and Education

We travelled throughout Charlottesville and the surrounding counties to conduct research regarding why community members chose not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, where they obtained vaccine information, and what the demographics were of this population. We collected this information through anonymous, voluntary paper surveys. Concurrently, we also distributed informational handouts on the virus, vaccine, free rides to vaccinations, and lists of vaccination sites nearby. 215 surveys were completed by community members and 264 online surveys were conducted via Google Surveys to gain additional data from a wider range of Virginia residents regarding why people declined the vaccine. Our data suggests the highest unvaccinated rates were found to be associated among those with lower educational attainment, Republican party affiliation, Buckingham, Greene, and Nelson County residence, and male sex. Higher vaccination rates were among groups of 18-24 age, Orange, Madison, Louisa, and Charlottesville/Albemarle, Democrat party affiliation, females, higher level of education obtained. Of those who voiced hesitancy: 44.4% did not feel the vaccine was necessary, 37.0% were concerned about side effects, 25.9% had concerns about the approval process, 18.5% had religious objections, and 11.1% declined the vaccine due to medical conditions. As our research indicated, there are disparities in vaccination rates among members of different groups. Our project aimed to understand what factors and why are associated with decreased vaccination and how we as medical students can help provide access to all members of the Greater Albemarle Area.

2022 UVA Health Disparities Conference - Breakout Session 2: Promoting Health Equity in Health Professions Education