Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among High School Students in a Large, Diverse Metropolitan Area.

BACKGROUND

Because previous studies on adolescent COVID-19 attitudes focused on intent to get vaccinated, this study examined attitudinal factors and racial/ethnic differences associated with vaccine uptake.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional survey of a metropolitan high school district, students were asked about their COVID-19 attitudes, information sources, and whether they had been vaccinated. Logistic regression predicted vaccination status and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) controlled for race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Being unvaccinated was associated with themes of distrust with concerns about vaccine newness (aOR: 0.10; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.06-0.15), side effects (aOR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.15-0.33), efficacy (aOR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.17-0.38), distrust of vaccines (aOR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.09-0.27), government oversight (aOR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.13-0.30), and politicization (aOR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.41-0.88). Vaccine uptake was influenced by official information sources, school closures, and vaccine availability. The majority of vaccinated and unvaccinated students trusted primary care professionals as a source for COVID-19 information, but their influence varied across race/ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Trust and distrust were the main themes of vaccinated and unvaccinated students, respectively. Incorporating trusted information sources (primary care professionals) in information dissemination efforts may improve vaccine uptake.