New CHRT survey analyzes who in Michigan isn’t getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and why with policy, practice recommendations
Between March 19, 2021 and April 1, 2021, CHRT fielded a supplement to its regular Cover Michigan Survey—a representative survey of Michigan adults—to better understand who isn’t getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the reasons for their vaccine hesitancy, delay, and avoidance.
Who isn’t getting vaccinated against COVID-19?
- Only 20 percent of Latinx/Hispanic residents reported having received at least one dose of vaccine.
- Only 24 percent of those making less than $30,000 per year had received at least one dose of vaccine (compared to 42 percent of those who reported incomes of $100,000 or more).
- Respondents without health insurance were three times less likely to have received at least one dose of vaccine (11%) than those who were insured (34%).
- Respondents without a medical home were less likely to have received at least one dose of vaccine (25%) compared to those with an established health care provider (35%).
For those unsure or not intending to get vaccinated, what are the reasons behind their hesitancy or resistance?
- Most of those who did not intend to get vaccinated were worried about side effects (86%). This was followed by concerns that the vaccine was too new (83%) and a mistrust of government to ensure the safety of the vaccine (78%). Other reasons included a belief that the effects of COVID-19 have been exaggerated or that they were not at risk for infection.
- There are differences in why people are hesitant—white respondents were more likely to cite reasons that down-played the risk of COVID-19, while Black and Latinx/Hispanic respondents were more likely to cite concerns about the vaccine itself.
- Black respondents were less likely to be resistant to getting vaccinated—28 percent of white respondents and 27 percent of Latinx/Hispanic respondents did not intend to get vaccinated, compared to only 11 percent of Black respondents.
- Black respondents were more likely, however, to be unsure about getting vaccinated—29 percent reported that they were unsure whether they would get vaccinated, compared to 20 percent of Latinx/Hispanic and 13 percent of white respondents.
As we better understand who in Michigan isn’t getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and why, our brief offers recommendations for where the state should go from here—including the use of trusted messengers, addressing concerns raised by communities of color, and conducting more community outreach.