Trauma Informed Approaches to Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Department
Women and Gender Studies
Abstract
In the emerging work on health disparities relating to COVID-19, vulnerable populations receive a great amount of attention. Among the topics, vaccine hesitancy and uptake is a central issue. Many people experiencing homelessness have justifiable beliefs and experiences that create resistance and friction on the path to vaccination. This then implies that there are permissible reasons to be anti-vax. This presentation looks at the unique challenges of vaccine hesitancy and uptake among people experiencing homelessness. The first portion of the presentation will utilize a lens of intersectionality to examine the nuances within the broad category of anti-vax beliefs; ultimately arguing that for certain individuals and communities, we must view anti-vax beliefs as a product of oppression and harm rather than a tool of oppression and harm. Building off this argument, feminist and social epistemological frameworks will be incorporated to look at the ways knowledge, rhetoric, and lived experiences lead to hesitancy. The end result takes this analysis and builds it into a praxis of trauma-informed vaccine outreach. The central focus of which is building trust and relationships to overcome hesitancy while promoting dignity and autonomy. This praxis is the culmination of my education in USM’s Women and Gender Studies program and my work for Preble Street’s Health Services as a COVID-19 outreach worker.
Trauma Informed Approaches to Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
In the emerging work on health disparities relating to COVID-19, vulnerable populations receive a great amount of attention. Among the topics, vaccine hesitancy and uptake is a central issue. Many people experiencing homelessness have justifiable beliefs and experiences that create resistance and friction on the path to vaccination. This then implies that there are permissible reasons to be anti-vax. This presentation looks at the unique challenges of vaccine hesitancy and uptake among people experiencing homelessness. The first portion of the presentation will utilize a lens of intersectionality to examine the nuances within the broad category of anti-vax beliefs; ultimately arguing that for certain individuals and communities, we must view anti-vax beliefs as a product of oppression and harm rather than a tool of oppression and harm. Building off this argument, feminist and social epistemological frameworks will be incorporated to look at the ways knowledge, rhetoric, and lived experiences lead to hesitancy. The end result takes this analysis and builds it into a praxis of trauma-informed vaccine outreach. The central focus of which is building trust and relationships to overcome hesitancy while promoting dignity and autonomy. This praxis is the culmination of my education in USM’s Women and Gender Studies program and my work for Preble Street’s Health Services as a COVID-19 outreach worker.
