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Newswise – People with health insurance receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a higher rate than those without insurance, although the vaccine is free, according to a national survey by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Research reveals that about 55% of adults with health insurance have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 30% of those without health insurance.
This may mean that many without health insurance mistakenly believe they have to pay for the vaccine, say researchers who suggest that a stronger public health message about the free vaccine is needed.
“Those who are white, highly educated, and have higher incomes receive the COVID-19 vaccine at disproportionately higher rates than people of color, those with lower education and those with lower incomes.” said Soumitra Bhuyan, assistant professor of health administration and lead author of the study.
The results of the lower vaccination rates confirmed that health disparities, such as the lack of pharmacies, trusted suppliers, and reliable transportation, that existed before the pandemic for non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics / Latin Americans compared to non-Hispanic white Americans are the same.
Hispanic respondents reported the greatest difficulty in scheduling their COVID-19 vaccine. Fifty-three percent of Hispanic / Latino respondents cited difficulty planning compared to non-Hispanic blacks (31.2%) and non-Hispanic whites (36.8%).
Of those vaccinated, 80% thought the vaccination sites were well managed and safe. However, there is a lag in vaccination rates although respondents feel safe.
“About half of the survey respondents said they had received at least one dose of the vaccine, closely following data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for the same time period,” said Joel Cantor, co-author of the study, professor at the Bloustein School and director of the Rutgers. Center for State Health Policy. “However, CDC data shows that the vaccination trend is slowing. Our study shows the groups in which vaccination is most behind schedule, highlighting where public health awareness needs to be stepped up. “
The data also reveals that a smaller percentage of the LGBTQ community (42 percent gay; 41 percent bisexual, pansexual, or gay) received at least one dose of the vaccine compared to 52 percent of heterosexuals.
Researchers surveyed 1,500 people across the country between April 7 and April 12, asking if they had ever received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who did were then asked about the ease of access to the vaccine.
Rutgers co-authors include Assistant Professor Soumitra Bhuyan; Alexis Rittweger, research assistant; associate professor Julia Sass Rubin; and Professor Joël Cantor.
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