Historically black colleges and universities were created for dark-skinned people. Due to this, many African Americans study there. Research on the COVID-19 vaccine suggests that preventive and interventional measures are needed to distribute the vaccine to minorities. This is because the African American group is skeptical of its results for several reasons, including poor access to health care, insurance, lack of awareness, and poor experience with health services. This makes the impact of the pandemic on minorities more damaging and deadly (Khubchandani et al., 2021). The hesitation is one of the reasons for the lower level of consent to vaccination.
The opposition to vaccination among people with dark skin is based on various reasons. These reasons often include negative experiences with health care professionals, low incomes, and living in remote areas (Khubchandani et al., 2021). Because of this, the establishment of mandatory vaccination policies in colleges and universities can cause resentment not only from students but also from their parents and the whole community. Even though the vaccine is distributed free of charge in the United States and Coronavirus infection has become one of the global problems, people with hesitancy are not ready to accept it, so the value must be initially communicated.
The importance of vaccination for people of all races must be fully communicated to both students and people of other occupancies. The opposition is especially noticeable on the part of parents; therefore, first of all, comfortable conditions should be created for them, along with information about the benefits of the vaccine and sponsorship from the state. This is necessary because adults influence the opinion of the younger generation and vice versa. A holistic approach will deliver value and prevent the spread of infection in minorities among workers and students, and therefore prevent transmission from them to people of other races.
Another research article by Rhodes et al. confirms that black people show the least intention to get vaccinated (2020). The article shows Black Americans’ distrust of official sources of information, such as the President of the United States, while at the same time, they are more inclined to trust social and mainstream media. The trust in public health officials and agencies is slightly higher (Rhodes et al., 2020). Therefore, the level of trust in most of the information sources used in vaccine promotion is extremely low.
This information suggests that it is possible to convey information through the policies at colleges and universities. At the same time, the lack of study on the topic of this method does not allow to understand the perception of Black Americans for such a presentation and requirement, as it may be considered as discrimination or violent actions. However, the study of this method will allow an understanding of how effectively it can be applied.
More than 400 colleges in America have made vaccination mandatory for the September trimester. This is based on the fact that universities and colleges are public places, and this increases the risk of contracting and spreading coronavirus infection. Most of the specified 400 colleges are located in the Republicans’ residences due to their opposition to vaccination. While some colleges have taken the choice to initiate the vaccine, others have made it mandatory, causing public resentment among those who want free choice (Aratani, 2021). Thus, the prerequisite for vaccinations is not unanimously supported by society.
The Republican party includes many Black Americans who oppose vaccination, as written in the past sources. The tendency of institutions to make the vaccine mandatory in settings that are most prone to free choice creates social inequality and coercion. Such measures can help preserve health but violate people’s right to personal choice, undermine their confidence in health and governmental organizations, and disrupt social peace.
References
Aratani, L. (2021). Backlash is expected as hundreds of US colleges introduce vaccine mandates. The Guardian. Web.
Khubchandani, J., Sharma, S., Price, J. H., Wiblishauser, M. J., Sharma, M., & Webb, F. J. (2021). COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the United States: A rapid national assessment. Journal of Community Health, 46(2), 270-277.
Rhodes, M. E., Sundstrom, B., Ritter, E., McKeever, B. W., & McKeever, R. (2020). Preparing for a COVID-19 vaccine: A mixed-methods study of vaccine-hesitant parents. Journal of Health Communication, 25(10), 831-837. Web.