Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research to Address Vaccine Uptake and Implementation among Populations Experiencing Health Disparities

This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) highlights the need for research on strategies and interventions to increase vaccine uptake and implementation among populations experiencing health disparities in the United States (U.S.) and its territories. Research is needed to understand and address misinformation, uncertainty, distrust, and hesitancy regarding uptake of vaccines (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, pneumococcal, influenza, hepatitis B, human papilloma virus (HPV), varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis [Tdap]) among individuals in the U.S. and its territories, especially in populations at increased risk for morbidity and mortality due to long-standing systemic health and social inequities, as well as chronic medical conditions. This NOSI is focused on individuals across the life span (i.e., all ages). The purpose of this NOSI is to solicit research that will: 1) understand and address barriers to increasing reach, access, and uptake of vaccinations among populations experiencing health disparities; 2) evaluate organizational, local, state, and federal policies and initiatives that mitigate or exacerbate disparities in vaccine access, uptake, and series completion, and 3) evaluate community-engaged interventions (e.g., expand reach, address psychosocial barriers, and social determinants of health [SDOH]) to facilitate vaccination uptake in clinical and community contexts.