At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, nations adopted preventive measures such as country lockdown, initiating social distance protocols, COVID-19 vaccinations, and implementing policies to introduce mask-wearing as a habit. However, various individuals and populations oppose the necessity to participate in the COVID-19 prevention measures, demonstrating distrust and resilience towards vaccination. The article “Building trust in COVID-19 vaccines and beyond through authentic community investment” by Ojikutu et al. effectively explains the dynamic factors influencing the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among minorities. Furthermore, the lack of societal engagement in the vaccination is a phenomenal challenge due to insufficient transparency and public trust (Ojikutu et al. 366). I agree that the lack of ineffective strategies to involve the community in the awareness campaign planning poses a complication for the COVID-19 immunization activities across the population.
Although the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic became a tremendous challenge for numerous communities, Ojikutu et al. note that participation in these activities remains a crucial concern. As such, the rates of Coronavirus infections are especially high among ethnic minorities, and the authors are concerned that engagement levels in this population remain extremely low (Ojikutu et al. 366). Indeed, as the COVID-19 pandemic can be efficiently managed only when all populations are involved in the prevention measures, Ojikutu et al. rightfully suggest that more productive interventions should be established to enhance community participation.
A significant point raised by the scholars concerns the poor awareness campaigns and their impact on the ethnic minorities’ engagement in COVID-19 vaccination. The authors argue that the current strategies are primarily focused on short-term outcomes and community outreach, which does not allow for the establishment of a long-term relationship between the government bodies and the ethnic communities (Ojikutu et al. 367). Skepticism and decreased participation rates can indeed be fostered by improperly implemented campaigns that do not target particular social groups. As community-centered campaigns are highly vital for creating a stable relationship between minority groups and state institutions, the authors address a vital concern regarding community trust and vaccination participation.
Another complication addressed by the authors is related to the role of racism in community health disparities. Ojikutu et al. claim that a proper awareness campaign is necessary for improving the efficiency of the COVID-19 vaccination, and promoting participation among ethnic minorities (366). The long-lasting impact of racism on the quality of health care among ethnic minority groups is crucial to address when conducting community initiatives. From this perspective, the scholars successfully emphasize the origins of the diminished vaccine uptake levels, emphasizing the importance of creating a highly engaging COVID-19 vaccination campaign for ethnic communities.
Work Cited
Ojikutu, Bisola O., et al. “Building Trust in COVID-19 Vaccines and Beyond Through Authentic Community Investment.” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 111, no. 3, 2021, pp. 366–368.