Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups With Rheumatic Diseases

Black and Latinx persons are at higher risk for certain autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) and have experienced worse COVID-19 outcomes compared to their white counterparts. Given the risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalization and death in people with AIRD, COVID-19 vaccine is recommended in this population. Historically, overall vaccine uptake among people with AIRDs has been low, and this vaccine reluctance has extended to COVID-19 vaccination. While additional COVID-19 vaccine doses have offered considerable added protection against severe outcomes, only 20% of all vaccinated persons in Alabama (AL) and 45% in Massachusetts have obtained an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of October 2022. Racial and ethnic minority groups have faced disparities in obtaining subsequent COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in under-resourced communities, including those in Alabama and Massachusetts. Together, these obstacles exacerbate existing health inequities among people of color and perpetuate worse COVID-19 outcomes.

We will conduct a randomized controlled study to test an intervention that seeks to address gaps in COVID-19 vaccine information and access inequities common in Black and Latinx populations.