Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Local health departments (LHDs) play an essential role in providing COVID-19 vaccines to underserved populations in Utah. This study aimed to understand barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake for these populations and challenges faced by LHDs from LHDs' perspectives. In addition, we explored LHDs' experience with implementing COVID-19 mobile vaccine clinics (MVCs) in Utah. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted virtual focus group discussions (FGDs) from October 28 to November 1, 2022, with health officers from Utah's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and LHDs. We recruited participants via email, transcribed recordings verbatim, and analyzed data using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Eight participants, one from the Utah DHHS and seven from Utah's LHDs (mostly executive directors or managers), participated in two FGDs. Barriers to vaccine uptake among underserved communities included structural, behavioral, and informational barriers. LHDs faced two main challenges to increasing vaccination rate: limited resources and the lack of established partnerships with trusted communities/organizations/leaders. Strategies implemented to increase vaccine uptake included multiple channels for vaccine access and information provision, and building multiple partnerships. Key lessons learned were the importance of partnerships with trusted community/organization leaders and building core staff for vaccine uptake. Regarding MVCs, they were effective in reaching underserved populations, however, their impact was unclear in rural areas. CONCLUSION: Building trust through partnerships with trusted community/organization leaders was crucial for increasing vaccine uptake in underserved populations and promoting health equity. The impact of MVCs on underserved populations in different settings remains unclear, further research is needed.