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A new brief, in collaboration with the Larry A. Green Center, highlights the experiences of Colorado’s primary care practices are similar to their peers nationwide: vaccine hesitancy is real; distribution has been challenging; and they seek greater involvement in immunization planning efforts. According to the Larry A. Green Center survey that closed December 15, 2020, those trends differ in magnitude between rural and non-rural primary care practices across Colorado.

Rural primary care clinicians reported that 36% of their patients were mostly receptive to getting the COVID-19 vaccine compared to 38% of patients cared for by non-rural clinicians. Addressing vaccine hesitancy may be hampered by perception of public health officials. Rural primary care practices also face significant logistical barriers to vaccination, especially acquiring, storing, and financing COVID-19 vaccines.

To combat the spread of misinformation about the vaccine and help tackle vaccine hesitancy, rural public health departments could leverage trusted relationships between clinicians and their patients. Vaccine distribution needs to account for storage requirements, one- versus two-dose regimens, and longer travel distances many rural residents face.