TABLE 4.

Example of themes from finalized coding rubric of interview transcript for the research question “What were students' perceptions of their community's attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines and masks?”

Theme	Description	Quote	% (n = 23)
Distrust	Community did not trust science or government	“They just don't believe in Western medicine. They don't think that it'll be good for their bodies.”	96%
Understands the hesitancy	Student understood why community is vaccine hesitant	“I completely understand why they would be untrusting…because they still teach medical racism in medical school.”	87%
More informed	Student believed that educating community would improve COVID attitudes	“Being as transparently informed as possible [would make Black communities more comfortable]. Being presented all the benefits of it, but as well having access to the knowledge of the side effects.”	70%
Frustrating	Student frustrated with community's perception of COVID-19	“I feel frustrated because I don't see why you wouldn't get [the vaccine].”	57%
Perceived lack of data	Student stated that community believes there isn't enough data on COVID vaccines	“The big thing was that [my friends] were unsure. They felt like the vaccine came out quickly. They didn't know if they could trust that it would be safe.”	48%
Misinformed	Student believed community is misinformed	“A lot of misinformation is out there that had my parents scared”	43%
Role model	Student believed that trusted messengers would improve COVID attitudes	“If we had people go into Black communities, probably even Black people, I feel like that'd be more trustworthy.”	39%