Testimonials and Navigation in Rheumatology

Black and Latinx persons are at higher risk for certain autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) and have experienced worse COVID-19 outcomes compared to their white counterparts. Given the risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalization and death in people with AIRD, COVID-19 vaccine is recommended in this population. Historically, overall vaccine uptake among people with AIRDs has been low, and this vaccine reluctance has extended to COVID-19 vaccination. While additional COVID-19 vaccine doses have offered considerable added protection against severe outcomes, only 20% of all vaccinated persons in Alabama (AL) and 45% in Massachusetts have obtained an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of October 2022. Racial and ethnic minority groups have faced disparities in obtaining subsequent COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in under-resourced communities, including those in Alabama, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Together, these obstacles exacerbate existing health inequities among people of color and perpetuate worse COVID-19 outcomes. We will conduct a randomized controlled study to test an intervention that seeks to address gaps in COVID-19 vaccine information and access inequities common in Black and Latinx populations.