Giving Everyone Their Shot: How To Combat Anti-Vaccine Sentiment
President Joe Biden receives his second vaccine dose on Jan. 11, 2021.
Source: Getty Images
This week — as Governor Cooper opened up vaccine appointments to all North Carolinians age 16+, and President Biden announced that 90% of American adults will be eligible to be vaccinated by April 19th — the country is filled with a new sense of hope surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the CDC is working to find a balance between promoting messages of caution concerning new strains of COVID-19 and pitching the vaccine as a means to return to “normalcy,” American’s have resumed old practices. The number of people traveling grows every day, and recently, 38,232 fans packed into a Dallas baseball park for a Texas Rangers game.
The CDC has produced comprehensive plans to distribute the vaccine on a widespread level, but skepticism from vaccine-eligible individuals could be a detriment to these plans. Anti-vaccine sentiment is as old as vaccines themselves — and were popularized once again after a “study” was released linking the MMR vaccine to bowel diseases and Autism. But it is important to note the study was later redacted because the doctor responsible for this information was paid by lawyers suing vaccine companies.
While certain concerns with the different COVID-19 vaccines are rooted in these longstanding ideas, others stem from concerns about the rushed nature of the vaccine. In February, the CDC released a study showing that the number of adults intending to be vaccinated increased from 39.4% to 49.1% between September and December of 2020. Though the CDC has not yet indicated what percentage of civilians need to be vaccinated to achieve “herd immunity” — but that goal will likely be more than 50%. Herd immunity occurs when enough people in a community are vaccinated or have already had the disease, making them immune and therefore making it harder to spread to those who cannot be vaccinated.
An NPR poll shows that as many as one in four American’s would refuse a vaccine if the offer was given to them. The highest rates of vaccine refusal seen amongst Republican men and people in rural areas, though many researchers say there is not one specific group that makes up vaccine refusers. People interviewed for this article cited concern for the long term implications of the vaccine, along with the fact that they feel healthy, despite having been diagnosed with COVID-19, as a reason not to get the vaccine.
Other concerns listed by researchers cite general distrust and personal preference as reasons people will not get the vaccine. Minority communities are also hesitant towards vaccinations after generations of tracist practices within the medical community that persist today. An NBC think piece links potential hesitancy toward the vaccine back to Christianity, and cites a study of Christian conservatism that perpetuates vaccine skepticism.
The Biden Administration has released a comprehensive COVID-19 response plan, and is taking many initiatives to encourage vaccine acceptance, including working to set up vaccine distribution in trusted community sites like churches. Additionally, Biden’s plan funds state government efforts to set up vaccine sites in diverse community settings, making the vaccines more accessible to marginalized people.
Additionally, the Biden campaign is working to dispel misinformation about the vaccine spreading on social media. To combat this, health professionals are working closely with Hollywood figures and T.V. stations to incorporate messages about the safety of the vaccines into their public relations. Though statistics prove the vaccine is safe, sensational news headlines about illness and death as a result of the vaccine influence people far more than any other factors. In March, CEO’s of Facebook, Twitter and Google testified in Congress about the spread of misinformation on their platforms, and those testimonies could result in new laws meant to regulate tech companies.
Despite the hope and comfort that comes with being vaccinated, the CDC reminds people to continue staying vigilant and protecting their communities.