Fernanda Amaya, Lisa Geronimo, Sara Colom, Dave Graham-Squire, Noel León, Susana Rojas, Douglas Black, Shalom Bandi, Efrain Barrera, Francisco Herrera, John A Sauceda, Julia Lechuga, Diane Havlir, Carina Marquez
Though uptake was only 3% at baseline, motivation to get vaccinated was high after hearing about RSV vaccine eligibility. Strategies to increase uptake should include education from trusted sources including health care providers, family members and friends about vaccine eligibility and access.
BACKGROUND: The new and effective RSV vaccine can reduce morbidity from RSV among older adults, yet uptake is below goal and there are differences across race/ethnicity groups. Thus, we sought to identify barriers and facilitators to RSV vaccine uptake among Latino older adults and evaluate the potential of multi-generational vaccine recommendation.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we administered 403 surveys (200 among adults 60+) to a convenience sample of adults at Latino-focused community-based organizations. Surveys assessed barriers and facilitators of RSV vaccination using the Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD) framework. We assessed sociodemographic variables and the odds of being motivated to get or recommend the RSV vaccine with a logistic regression, adjusting by age, sex, and race.
RESULTS: Majority of participants were Latino (94.5%) and born outside of the U.S. (87%). Among adults 60+, 3% received the RSV vaccine, whereas 46% received the zoster vaccine and 96% received a COVID vaccine. Prior to survey completion, 60% had never heard of the RSV virus. Once made aware of RSV and vaccine eligibility, 67% were motivated to get vaccinated and 68% felt the vaccine was very important. Older adults' motivation to get the RSV vaccine was linked to confidence in vaccine safety (aOR: 8.9, 95%CI: 2.9-26.9), trust in health workers (aOR: 5, 95%CI: 1.7-14.7), and social norms- family and friends want them to get vaccinated (aOR: 5.2, 95%CI: 2.5-10/8). Among people 18-59 years, 76% discuss health matters with their older family members and 69% would recommend the RSV vaccine.
CONCLUSION: Though uptake was only 3% at baseline, motivation to get vaccinated was high after hearing about RSV vaccine eligibility. Strategies to increase uptake should include education from trusted sources including health care providers, family members and friends about vaccine eligibility and access.