Date on Senior Honors Thesis

5-2022

Document Type

Senior Honors Thesis

Degree Name

B.A.

Department

Biology

Degree Program

College of Arts and Sciences

Author's Keywords

COVID-19; vaccination; Latinx; retrospective review; boosters; primary care

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccines have been widely available to the U.S. public since early 2021. However, vaccination rates still vary considerably across geographical areas and different populations. The objective of this study was to research overall vaccination rates against COVID-19 for Latinx patients at the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center (KRHSC). Vaccination and booster data was collected from June to December 2021 for all unique patients visiting the center. It was initially hypothesized that these rates of vaccination and booster doses for the KRHSC patients would be lower than the data reported by Kentucky and Jefferson County. After a retrospective review, the results conveyed that the KRHSC patients actually had higher percentages of vaccination when compared to published values by the state and Jefferson County. However, this did not hold true for booster vaccinations, as no patients at the KRHSC reported receiving additional doses against COVID-19. These results suggest that efforts are needed to encourage higher COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses in patients at the KRHSC.

Lay Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the health and well-being of people across the world. The rollout of vaccines to provide immunity from the virus causing this pandemic has differed based on geographical location and economic status. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of vaccination specifically for the Latinx patients coming to the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center (KRHSC), which provides primary care to backside racetrack workers at Churchill Downs. Patient records were evaluated and recorded to determine how many patients received any type of COVID-19 vaccine. The results demonstrated that more of the KRHSC patients were fully vaccinated when compared to people across Kentucky and in Jefferson County. However, fewer of these patients had received booster (or additional) doses.

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