Researchers from San Diego State University (SDSU) want to speak with Latinos who doubt or have decided not to get the COVID-19 vaccine, this as part of a national study conducted by the coalition called CommuniVaxx.
Dr. Noe Crespo, one of the main researchers of the project and professor at the School of Public Health at SDSU, clarified that they do not seek to make the interviewees change their minds, but to know their concerns, doubts, who are the people they trust, understand the situation of COVID-19 in the Latino community and learn from their perspective what they think about the vaccine, he said.
Crespo said SDSU was chosen to participate in the national study because of previous work done specifically with the Latino community. Communi Vaxx, he explained, is a national coalition of social scientists, public health experts, and community advocates that seeks to strengthen COVID-19 vaccination efforts in the United States, putting communities of color at the center of those efforts.
In a first part of the study, now completed, the researchers spoke with people in leadership positions to ask them what their strategies have been to increase access to the vaccine in minority communities, Crespo said.
The researcher added that the investigation is currently in a second phase in which they seek to interview at least 40 members of the community in the southern San Diego area, older than 18 years – preferably men – who have doubts about getting the vaccine or that they have decided not to wear it and that they identify as Latino.
The interview, he explained, can be done by phone or in person, in English or Spanish, lasts approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour and the participants receive compensation of $ 25 in a gift card.
The long-term goal of the coalition is to develop strategies and recommendations so that more people from minority communities and those most affected by the pandemic obtain the vaccine, the researcher said.
To participate, you can call or text (619) 693-6130, email [email protected], or go to study website from SDSU to fill out the form and find out if you meet the eligibility requirements.
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