The Big Push Narrative and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Black and Latinx Populations Open Access

McCollum, William (Spring 2022)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/tx31qk008?locale=en%5D
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Abstract

Background: The goal of my thesis is to describe the logical fallacies of the Big Push narrative and their contribution to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Black and Latinx people. 11.2% of the 18+ US population have not had any doses of the COVID vaccine, and this indication of vaccine hesitancy is particularly disconcerting for racial minorities, who are disproportionately affected [4, 5]. Upon closing the major knowledge gap that exists in contemporary American society, citizens will have more opportunities to access information on the ways to build vaccine confidence and logical, effective approaches to countering the narratives of vaccine hesitant persons.

Methods: The data were previously collected by the Human Engagement Learning Platform for Global Health through semi-structured interview design with 57 FGDs [13]. I developed themes pertaining to the five elements of the narrative through a codebook and designated a code and type of narrative fallacy to patterns within the quotations. I identified which type of narrative fallacy fits these coded groupings of quotes, and then I conduct a sociological analysis.

Results: Based on my analysis, I found that subjects who recognized financial elitism were jumping to conclusions and were inclined to practice the control fallacy – that they have no control over their lives. The corrupt systems code was positively associated embellishment and the control fallacy. In addition, the control fallacy and emotional reasoning contributed to fear associated with the vaccine being developed too fast; and overgeneralization, fallacy of fairness, and disqualifying the positive contributed to stress. Finally, ulterior motives were characterized by the fallacy of change and polarized thinking, which were correlated with the lack of trust that subjects experienced. The control fallacy and disqualifying the positive were strongly associated with defiance or lack of respect.

Limitations: The convenience sample in the study may not be representative of the general population.

Conclusion: We must engage communities of racial minorities with honest dialogue to better understand the causes of their positions. I would also assert that a priority for stakeholders and policymakers must be to reduce racial disparities in access to vaccine information, vaccine doses, and health insurance.

Table of Contents

Statement of Purpose…………………………………………………………………………....1

Background……………………………………………………………………………………..….1

Significance………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Methods…………………………………………………………………………………………...10

Results/Findings………………………………………………………………………………...35

Discussion. ……………………………………………………………………………………....42

Limitations. ……………………………………………………………………………………...47

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….....48

References………………………………………………………………………………………..51

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