Original Research
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among rural Oklahomans
AUTHORS
Randolph D Hubach1 PhD, MPH, Associate Professor * 
Bryan Shannon2 MPH, Graduate Student
Kerry D Morgan3 PhD, MCHES, Assistant Professor
Caleb Alexander4 MPH, Graduate Student
Andrew M O'Neil5 MPH, Graduate Student
Campbell Ernst6 MAT, Graduate Student
Zachary Giano7 PhD, Research Associate
AFFILIATIONS
1 Department of Public Health, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
2, 3 Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, USA
4, 6, 7 Center for Rural Health, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
5 Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
ACCEPTED: 8 April 2022
early abstract:
Purpose: COVID-19 vaccination is widely recommended as a prevention strategy; however, vaccine uptake is disproportionately lower among rural Americans compared to their urban counterparts. Development of public health activities to address the rural-urban vaccine gap requires an understanding of determinants of vaccine hesitation. The current study explores perceptions of and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among rural Oklahomans.
Methods: Between March and May 2021, 222 residents, unvaccinated for COVID-19, within rural Oklahoma counties completed a cross sectional, online questionnaire to qualitatively assess perceptions, benefits, and concerns regarding getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
Findings: Approximately two-fifths of rural respondents in the current study were hesitant to get vaccinated, even when a vaccine was made available to them. Major factors included limited knowledge and understanding about the vaccine, including potential side effects and long-term complications, as well as skepticism surrounding COVID-19 vaccine development and efficacy. Among the potential perceived benefits of vaccination were protecting the health of vulnerable individuals and the ability to return to normal day-to-day activities.
Conclusions: Upticks in COVID-19 cases and deaths in rural areas are expected to continue as new variants are introduced within communities. The present findings highlight the need for the development of culturally tailored vaccine information to be disseminated by local leaders within rural communities.