Introduction
The recent pandemic has presented the world with a variety of challenges, as well as a number of opportunities to change, grow, and develop. Vaccination has been at the forefront of this process, garnering both supporters and critics. A diverse group of individuals, primarily defined as vaccine-hesitant, has emerged to protest against COVID-19 vaccination with more force than ever. For the purposes of this assignment, it will be necessary to discuss the subject of vaccine hesitancy in more detail, to propose functional solutions to it. The main thesis of the work is that most skeptics lack a sense of trust in the medical system, requiring systematic change to remedy the issue.
Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy
First, one should attempt to define vaccine hesitancy, because the label lends itself to various interpretations. For some, it refers to individuals who doubt the effectiveness of the vaccine, for others, it is a way to say that vaccines do not work at all. Particular groups even argue that vaccines are actively harmful to the human body, and their spread is part of some kind of shady government operation. Universally though, the vaccine-hesitant are those who advocate against using vaccines, or mandating them.
In order to best understand this trend, researchers have already begun analyzing and discussing trends of vaccine hesitancy. In Ireland, for example, the population of vaccine-hesitant individuals comes to around 35% (1). Researchers that published this number state that there are some similarities between most individuals who claim to be vaccine-hesitant. In particular, people who did not trust vaccines tended to listen to alternative news sources instead of the mainstream media, and harbored some level of distrust towards the establishment (1). Online spaces, in particular, are good breeding grounds for vaccine hesitancy (2). These people’ focus on niche news sources and communities is important to understanding the nature of vaccine hesitancy, and its source.
For most individuals, a dislike for vaccination does not come from finding science to be faulty, but instead a lack of trust in their overarching government structures. As COVID-19 vaccines were largely distributed and mandated by the government, those who dislike central authority also have a dislike of vaccines. A large number of conspiracies and fringe movements have emerged as a result of vaccine hesitancy, and the criticism of power structures that accompanied it. It is important to understand that such conspiratorial types of behavior are mostly driven by emotions, and not rationality (3). The existence of vaccine-hesitant individuals has endangered the most vulnerable parts of society, including those who cannot take vaccines due to underlying health conditions.
Solutions
It is imperative that the medical field as a whole can build better resilience to both conspiratorial discussions and misinformation. Creation of more accessible sources of medical research, for example, would do well in creating a pathway to the truth. Alternatively, the public itself can become the subject of an intervention. Potential approaches include better vaccination education, increased transparency, and potential criminal persecution for spreading misinformation. By utilizing these tools of influence, it will be possible to protect vulnerable populations better.
In Closing
Despite the criticism aimed at vaccine-hesitant individuals, and their association with conspiracy beliefs, it is also necessary to consider those with legitimate mistrust for the government. In particular, it was noted that racial and ethnic minority groups tend to exhibit higher levels of vaccine hesitancy (4). The reason for that is similar to that of conspiracy believers, but its root is different. For those who are part of marginalized communities, governments and medical systems are often tools of oppression. They are connected to real history of abuse and violence, which puts more strain on the trusting relationship between the government and these communities. Ultimately, vaccine hesitancy has had a profound impact both on society, and the medical community. It must be addressed, either through directly working with communities or making medical information easier to acquire and understand. Doctors and other professionals must come to understand and connect with populations, or they will never be able to promote safe health practices without being scrutinized.
Reference List
Murphy J, Vallières F, Bentall RP, Shevlin M, McBride O, Hartman TK, et al. Psychological characteristics associated with covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Nature Communications. 2021;12(1).
Garett R, Young SD. Online misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 2021;11(12):2194–9.
Sallam M, Dababseh D, Eid H, Al-Mahzoum K, Al-Haidar A, Taim D, et al. High rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its association with conspiracy beliefs: A study in Jordan and Kuwait among other Arab countries. Vaccines. 2021;9(1):42.
Robertson E, Reeve KS, Niedzwiedz CL, Moore J, Blake M, Green M, et al. Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the UK household longitudinal study. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 2021;94:41–50.