Associations Between COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Socio-Spatial Factors in NYC Transit Workers 50 Years and Older

• Published in: International journal of aging & human development Vol. 96; no. 1; pp. 76 - 90
• Main Authors: Meltzer, Gabriella Y., Harris, Jordan, Hefner, Michelle, Lanternier, Paula, Gershon, Robyn R.M., Vlahov, David, Merdjanoff, Alexis A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2023; Baywood Publishing Co., Inc
• Subjects: COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health services; Humans; Immunization; New York City - epidemiology; Parents; Race; Vaccination; Vaccination Hesitancy; Vaccines; White people; Workers; New York City; COVID-19; vaccine hesitancy; older adults; essential workforce; ADAR; public transit
• ISSN: 0091-4150; 1541-3535; 1541-3535
• DOI: 10.1177/00914150221106709

This analysis investigates how age, race/ethnicity, and geographic location contributed to vaccine hesitancy in a sample of 645 New York City (NYC) Transport Workers Union (TWU), Local 100 members surveyed in August 2020. Union members ages 50+ were 46% less likely to be vaccine hesitant than their younger counterparts (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.42, 0.97). Non-Whites (OR 3.95; 95% 2.44, 6.39) and those who did not report their race (OR 3.10; 95% CI 1.87, 5.12) were significantly more likely to be vaccine hesitant than Whites. Those who were not concerned about contracting COVID-19 in the community had 1.83 greater odds (95% CI 1.12, 2.98) of being vaccine hesitant than those who were concerned. Older respondents tended to reside in Queens while vaccine hesitant and non-White respondents were clustered in Brooklyn. General trends observed in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy persist in a population of high risk, non-healthcare essential workers.