Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: A Qualitative Study from African, Caribbean, and Black Communities in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Through engagement with multi-stakeholders—including African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) community members and leaders, as well as service providers in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada—this study explores in-depth narratives and first-hand accounts of their lived experiences in the context of COVID-19 vaccine promotion. A thematic analysis of the focus group discussions, conducted in NVivo, revealed that vaccine acceptance among ACB communities is shaped by factors such as racial discrimination, COVID-19 knowledge, misconceptions, communication strategies and barriers, preference for alternative medicines, and community resilience. These findings highlight several implications for policymakers and provide directions for future research.