Minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study (MRCIS): The Need for Targeted SARS CoV-2 Vaccination Efforts in Minority Populations

Importance Racial and ethnic minority populations have been disproportionately affected in terms of hospitalizations and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine uptake remains a barrier to full population inoculation against this highly infectious disease. Objective The purpose of this report is to describe SARS-CoV-2 vaccine interest rates in a racially, geographically, and ethnically diverse study cohort and characterize vaccine interest across a racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse study population. Design This report describes responses to a survey administered between November 2020 and May 2021 using a community convenience sample through a partnership between the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) as part of the Minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study (MRCIS). Analysis of survey responses from 3,624 participants are provided. Results Early data from the MRCIS cohort suggest that “SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy” is more prevalent in Black versus Non-Hispanic Whites survey respondents, and the Hispanic community has positive interest in the vaccine, to a similar degree as Whites. The persistent presence of “vaccine undecideds” across different sites and racial/ethnic groups uncovers the need for more public health efforts to influence positive views about vaccination. Conclusion These findings highlights the urgent need for interventional educational campaigns targeted at populations at risk of low vaccine interest. Focused efforts are needed to combat misinformation and explain the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness to promote its uptake and avoid low inoculation rates. Public health communication must consider differences in population groups, regions, and social determinants of health to fully address vaccine uptake disparities and overcome alleged hesitancy. Key Points ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Clinical Trial This manuscript provides a cross-sectional analysis of the minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study and is not a registered clinical trial. ### Funding Statement This research was funded in by the National Minority Quality Forum, Quest Diagnostics and the Centene Corporation as a part of a collaborative response to coronavirus impact in minority and rural communities. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The protocol, which was reviewed and approved by an institutional review board (IRB) at WCG IRB Puyallup, WA. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes All data reported in this study are held by the National Minority Quality Forum and are not consented for public sharing or dissemination. All data inquiries should be referred to the National Minority Quality Forum 1201 15th Street, NW, Suite 340, Washington, DC 20005.