Lessons to Build an Educational Model for Higher Education Institutions Defined as Anchor Institutions to Tackle Public Health Crises: A Pilot Study on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Faculty and Students in Herbert L. College in the Bronx, NY

Authors

Maria-Isabel Roldos, CUNY Lehman CollegeFollow
Katherine Burt, CUNY Lehman CollegeFollow
Jacob Eubank, CUNY Lehman CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2022

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 exacerbated health inequities in Bronx Communities. This study explored vaccine hesitancy among a random sample of faculty and students from Herbert Lehman College. Findings suggest faculty are largely vaccinated (87%), while 59% of students are unvaccinated. Significant gaps in information were found related to safety and complications. This suggests universities need to adopt an educational model with a multipronged social support strategy to gain students’ trust and a greater sense of belonging.