The Social Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Distrust in the United States

Abstract

This study examined whether specific social factors are associated with COVID-19 vaccination distrust. Data originated from the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey Phase 3.3 Week 42 collected from January 26 to February 7, 2022. In total, 38,504 adults answered the questions regarding receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine distrust, and the designated social factors. Logistic regression and ordinal regression were performed to examine specific social factors associated with the COVID-19 vaccine to determine if differences were seen in a dichotomous outcome or scale outcome for distrust. Over 7% of men reported 1 or both types of COVID-19 distrust compared to 6.6% of women. Men were more likely to distrust the COVID-19 vaccine than women. There was a significant association between educational attainment and COVID-19 distrust scale. The same association was seen also in household income and COVID-19 distrust scale. Overall, this study identified specific social factors were a strong predictor of COVID-19 vaccination distrust. These findings can assist public health efforts to reduce the health inequity of COVID-19 vaccination efforts and reduce distrust in racial-ethnic minorities.