COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Hesitancy Q&A People with substance use disorder (SUD) are at increased risk for adverse effects of COVID-19, but getting vaccinated can prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and death from COVID-19. However, people with SUD may face unique barriers to getting vaccinated. For example, it can be difficult for providers to contact and reach people who use drugs, who may not have a usual place of medical care. Like many others, people with addiction may have vaccine hesitancy—often spurred by misinformation and distrust of the health care system. Past experiences of stigmatizing interactions with healthcare may contribute to these feelings and perceptions. To bring you strategies to meet these challenges head-on, we talked with three providers working to expand access to vaccination among people with SUD and in under-resourced communities. The Q&A below was compiled from these interviews.
Meet the Providers Alex McDonald, MD, FAAFP, CAQSM Family and Sports Medicine Physician Southern California Permanente Medical Group Dr. Alex McDonald is a co-founder of the This Is Our Shot campaign, focused on motivating people to get vaccinated by spreading factual information about the vaccines to dispel myths and rumors. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP Critical Care and Infectious Diseases Pharmacist Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice School of Pharmacy at Loma Linda University of Loma Linda Dr. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir (Dr. Jam) has worked to expand vaccine access to minority and under-resourced communities—through working with faith leaders, setting up pop-up vaccine clinics, and developing “strike teams” to go door-to-door to share information about the vaccines and offer vaccination. Kim Yu, MD, FAAFP Regional Medical Director for Aledade Inc. President Elect for the Orange County Chapter of the California Academy of Family Physicians Dr. Kim Yu has been working to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines by developing strategies to identify and reach out to those who have not been vaccinated, reduce barriers to access, and normalize the conversation about the vaccines with patients. She is also a member of the executive leadership team for the This Is Our Shot campaign.
Expanding Access to COVID-19 Vaccinations Among People with SUD—A Q & A with Providers Q: How can I help improve access to vaccines for people with SUD? Meet them where they’re at. Reach people with SUD directly in their communities instead of expecting that they come to you—visit homeless and other shelters, barber shops, or attend Narcotics and Alcohol Anonymous meetings. Share information about the vaccines and offer it, if possible. Consider using paper forms to sign people up for the vaccine, 22
California Family Physician Fall 2021
which may help expand access to people who lack access to the internet, computers, or smart phones. Dr. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir shared that her organization has developed strike teams that go door-to-door in minority communities and homeless shelters to talk to people about the vaccine and provide vaccinations.
