@article{MRA, author = {Emily Mitchell and Sarah Sullivan and Kyra Hamerling-Potts and Matthew Dobbs and Joseph Geraci and Marianne Goodman}, title = { Development of a COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Single Session Group Intervention for US Veterans}, journal = {Medical Research Archives}, volume = {10}, number = {12}, year = {2022}, keywords = {}, abstract = {Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remains problematic and is particularly prevalent in minority and underserved communities. Aim and Scope: The development and initial efficacy of a single-session Vaccine Hesitancy-focused Telehealth Group at a Veterans hospital in the Bronx, NY are described. This single-session telehealth group integrated motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, and a “vaccine positive” peer with the goal of addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and improving vaccination rates. Methods: This project was approved by the quality assurance and improvement team at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. From the vaccine-hesitant Veteran referrals received from providers, eight vaccine hesitancy groups, averaging 3.5 participants  per session, were conducted. Thirty Veterans total participated in the telehealth group. Results: Two-thirds of the participants have received the COVID-19 vaccine, with the vast majority of participants receiving the vaccine after the group. About half of the participants (n=14) were more willing to get the vaccine following the intervention and none experienced an increase in hesitancy. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest this may be one intervention to increase vaccine acceptability and COVID-19 vaccination rates. Program strengths, limitations, and suggestions are discussed.}, issn = {2375-1924}, doi = {10.18103/mra.v10i12.3216}, url = {https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/3216} }