Addressing Health Equity: Leveraging Partnerships and Meaningful Community Engagement to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence and Vaccine Uptake

Abstract

Introduction

The District Health Equity program planned interventions to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence and vaccine uptake in vulnerable and hesitant communities in southwest Georgia. Meaningful community engagement was at the center of the interventions. Existing partnerships with public housing and the hospital system were leveraged and new partnerships within the community were formed.

Methods

Interventions occurred from May 16-October 20, 2022 in 8 counties. Health equity navigators built and fortified key community partnerships and attended community events to engage with community members. Health departments and the hospital system’s mobile wellness clinic administered vaccines at 18 vaccination events. Fifty-dollar gift cards were offered to vaccine recipients.

Results

Partnerships were made with 8 county housing authorities, 1 county school system, 1 university, 1 Black Greek Letter Organization, 1 retail store, and District first responders. 360 total vaccines were administered: boosters (80.0%), primary doses (18.1%), and unknown (1.9%). 87.5% of recipients were Black, 10.8%% White,

Discussion

In Southwest Georgia, COVID-19 disproportionately impacted people of color and people of lower socio-economic status, causing increased hospitalization, death, and case rates within those communities. Vaccine confidence and vaccine uptake has remained lower within those same communities, and ongoing efforts to address health equity are critical. The outcomes of the District Health Equity program highlight the importance of engaging priority populations and stakeholders through key community partnerships and meaningful community engagement.

Conclusion

A multidisciplinary approach to include focused engagement at the societal level is necessary to achieve health equity in vulnerable and hesitant communities.

Keywords

health equity, vaccine confidence, community partners, rural health, community engagement, multidisciplinary

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Addressing Health Equity: Leveraging Partnerships and Meaningful Community Engagement to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence and Vaccine Uptake

Introduction

The District Health Equity program planned interventions to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence and vaccine uptake in vulnerable and hesitant communities in southwest Georgia. Meaningful community engagement was at the center of the interventions. Existing partnerships with public housing and the hospital system were leveraged and new partnerships within the community were formed.

Methods

Interventions occurred from May 16-October 20, 2022 in 8 counties. Health equity navigators built and fortified key community partnerships and attended community events to engage with community members. Health departments and the hospital system’s mobile wellness clinic administered vaccines at 18 vaccination events. Fifty-dollar gift cards were offered to vaccine recipients.

Results

Partnerships were made with 8 county housing authorities, 1 county school system, 1 university, 1 Black Greek Letter Organization, 1 retail store, and District first responders. 360 total vaccines were administered: boosters (80.0%), primary doses (18.1%), and unknown (1.9%). 87.5% of recipients were Black, 10.8%% White,

Discussion

In Southwest Georgia, COVID-19 disproportionately impacted people of color and people of lower socio-economic status, causing increased hospitalization, death, and case rates within those communities. Vaccine confidence and vaccine uptake has remained lower within those same communities, and ongoing efforts to address health equity are critical. The outcomes of the District Health Equity program highlight the importance of engaging priority populations and stakeholders through key community partnerships and meaningful community engagement.

Conclusion

A multidisciplinary approach to include focused engagement at the societal level is necessary to achieve health equity in vulnerable and hesitant communities.