biostudies-literatureNaranjo DVA HSR&D Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytics Sciences (IDEAS) Center of Innovation at VA Salt Lake City, UtahState of UtahU.S. Department of Veterans Affairse0290540https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10490972biostudies-literatureUnknown18(9)Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination becomes more critical as new variants continue to evolve and the United States (US) attempts to move from pandemic response to management and control. COVID-19 stands out in the unique way it has polarized patients and generated sustained vaccine hesitancy over time. We sought to understand differences in perceptions and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination between vaccine hesitant and non-hesitant patients, with the goal of informing communication and implementation strategies to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Veteran and non-Veteran communities. This qualitative study used interview data from focus groups conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the University of Utah; all focus groups were conducted using the same script MarcPloS oneDifferences in perceptions and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination between vaccine hesitant and non-hesitant persons.PMC10490972CIN 13-414AR3473Kimball ENelson JWeaver FMGalyean POEvans CTStroupe KRay CKale INaranjo DZickmund SSamore MAlder SCfalseDifferences in perceptions and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination between vaccine hesitant and non-hesitant persons.Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination becomes more critical as new variants continue to evolve and the United States (US) attempts to move from pandemic response to management and control. COVID-19 stands out in the unique way it has polarized patients and generated sustained vaccine hesitancy over time. We sought to understand differences in perceptions and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination between vaccine hesitant and non-hesitant patients, with the goal of informing communication and implementation strategies to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Veteran and non-Veteran communities. This qualitative study used interview data from focus groups conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the University of Utah; all focus groups were conducted using the same script Marc2023-01-01T00:00:00Z20232025-05-29T19:51:14.809Z2025-05-29T19:51:14.809ZS-EPMC104909723768287810.1371/journal.pone.0290540