(P159) TO RECEIVE AN HIV VACCINE OR NOT? A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN’S PERCEPTIONS ABOUT A POTENTIAL HIV VACCINE IN A POST-COVID-19 ERA, U.S.

Background:
To end the HIV epidemic, targeted strategies like an HIV vaccine could help reduce HIV incidence for those most vulnerable. This study explores the perceptions that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) have about a potential HIV vaccine in the context of heightened vaccine hesitancy that has emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:
Between March and May of 2022, we interviewed 20 adult GBMSM across the United States who were eligible for but not taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews over video teleconferencing software exploring participants’ perceptions of an HIV vaccine. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analyzed using a codebook approach to thematic analysis.

Results:
All participants were HIV-negative and not taking PrEP, with 45% (n=9) non-white, 90% cisgender male (n=18) and 10% (n=2) transgender male. The majority were vaccine hesitant (75% unvaccinated against COVID-19). Participants expressed a range of skepticism, cautious optimism, and enthusiastic support for a future HIV vaccine. Factors driving willingness to receive the vaccine included community-oriented altruism and improving sexual experiences by reducing HIV-related stress. Participants also described concerns about the vaccine’s efficacy and potential side-effects, mistrust in the vaccine development process, and structural and practical barriers preventing receipt of the vaccine. Participants offered insights into specific vaccine-related information they wanted, including how “thorough” the research was, how to access the vaccine, and how personally beneficial the vaccine could be, along with where/how they preferred to receive this information.

Conclusion:
By offering insights into factors that motivate and deter GBMSM from receiving an HIV vaccine, these findings can help inform future HIV vaccine implementation efforts. Our results suggest that prioritizing the vaccine’s accessibility and affordability, partnering with LGBTQ+ and sexual health community resources, and distributing credible vaccine-related information across multiple sources may help inspire HIV vaccine uptake among GBMSM.