Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination Among Behavioral Health Service Clients
Abstract
Objective:
The authors examined attitudes toward and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorder.
Methods:
Clients of a community mental health center in Texas (N=50) participated in semistructured, in-person interviews regarding their COVID-19 vaccination decision. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data.
Results:
Most participants (68%) reported receipt of at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Participants were motivated to get vaccinated mostly by a desire to protect themselves or others. Convenience of vaccination location and access to free vaccination facilitated vaccine uptake. However, concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine were common among both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants and could be reinforced or overcome by social network influences.
Conclusions:
Fear, uncertainty, and conflicting vaccine information were common themes in the COVID-19 vaccination decisions of behavioral health service clients. Improving access to information from trusted sources, including health care providers, could help to overcome vaccine concerns in this population.
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