COVID-19 Vaccine Education at the Point of Testing to Increase Vaccine Uptake in Vulnerable Communities in Southeastern Louisiana

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PROJECT SUMMARY The investigators at Xavier University of Louisiana propose a rapid vaccine education model to be delivered at the point of COVID-19 testing to be delivered at pharmacies, clinics and urgent cares. Documented trends of vaccine hesitancy and decreased vaccine access has disproportionately impacted rural communities, particularly African Americans who reside in those communities. The target population is African-Americans, Hispanics, Vietnamese Americans and those living in rural communities. The Specific Aims of this proposal are: Specific Aim #1: To implement a rapid vaccine education model at the point of COVID-19 testing in clinics, pharmacies and urgent care clinics. Investigators anticipate a 15% increase in COVID-19 vaccine completion rates among those who participate in the vaccine education. Specific Aim #2: To assess barriers to COVID-19 vaccination, including: vaccine hesitancy, vaccine access and other social determinants of health among the target population using the point of COVID-19 testing at pharmacies, urgent care clinics and clinics. Specific Aim #3: To assess health system’s related barriers to offering vaccine education among healthcare support staff such as pharmacy technicians, nurse’s aides, medical assistants and pharmacy interns. Method: Individuals will be recruited using a community-based participatory research model with existing partners to identify 375 patients to receive COVID-19 vaccine education at the point of COVID-19 testing by trained healthcare workers. The target enrollment is: 65% African- Americans, 10% Hispanic, 10% Vietnamese, and 20% residents of rural communities. Participants will complete a rapid COVID-19 vaccine education delivered by support healthcare professionals at the testing locations. Monitoring for vaccine completion will occur by Links© (Louisiana Immunization Network) access. For Aim #3, healthcare participants will complete a pre and post survey to assess health system’s barriers to vaccine education at the point of care among healthcare support staff. Impact: This researcher aims to understand health related beliefs and behaviors related to vaccination at one point of healthcare access, COVID-19 testing. This interventional approach will help to develop strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccination in vulnerable communities. This grant will facilitate training early stage investigators and diversify the health research workforce as the researchers are underrepresented minorities and women.