Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Hesitancy in Latinx Sexual and Gender Minority People in North Texas.

Background: COVID-19 vaccination disparities persist in the US, but few studies focus on Latinx sexual and gender minority (SGM) people. This study aimed to examine the factors shaping COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy among Latinx SGM people in North Texas.

Method: In a cross-sectional study from June to July 2023, 134 Latinx participants completed a survey on COVID-19 vaccine rate, confidence, and hesitancy. Vaccination rates and hesitancy among SGM and cisgender heterosexual individuals were compared using the chi-square test. Fisher's exact test was used to examine the association between confidence in vaccine safety and (1) vaccine uptake and (2) vaccine hesitancy.

Results: Among Latinx SGM participants, 27.8% were unvaccinated and 24% were vaccine hesitant. Furthermore, 25.9% demonstrated no likelihood of receiving the vaccine in the future. No significant difference was observed in vaccine uptake and hesitancy between SGM and cisgender heterosexual individuals. Latinx SGM individuals with high confidence in COVID-19 vaccine safety were more likely to be vaccinated than those with low confidence.

Conclusion: Confidence in vaccine safety is strongly correlated with vaccination status, highlighting the need for interventions to build trust and address concerns among Latinx SGM people. Such interventions must focus on intersectional sources of social vulnerability among Latinx SGM people and the diversity of Latinx and SGM identities.