Abstract
Indigenous communities were identified as highly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, given their remote geographical location and high relative cumulative cases. Specific barriers and facilitators of vaccination in the communities must be studied to create better public health planning. This study conducted private, qualitative interviews in the Indigenous community with local adult residents. Convenience sampling was used and recruitment was conducted with support from trusted Indigenous community connections. Participants were included if they spoke English and spent the majority of their lifetime in the local community. We interviewed three participants (two women, and one man, ages of 54, 53, and 61 years old respectively), all of whom received two mandatory COVID-19 vaccines with two of them getting one booster shot. Interview questions asked for attitudes on the current vaccination process, the government and local health unit policies, the source of trust and mistrust, and future suggestions for vaccination policies. Participants identified cultural mistrust as a barrier as it refers to the hesitancy of residents due to historical and cultural contributors. Participants suggested mixed attitudes toward accessibility, source of information and local health unit policies, and vaccine mistrust and trust, identifying them as barriers and facilitators in different scenarios. This study brings vaccination-related issues to the attention of the Government of Canada and health officials, facilitating effective public health planning and long-term trust building with the Indigenous communities.
Main Subjects
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