N 515 What research studies found to be the most common reasons for covid vaccine hesitancy
Reasons for Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
In their study, Dabla-Norris et al. (2020) note that vaccine hesitancy increases COVID-19 infections and deaths as it slows vaccine rollouts and reduces the willingness of at high risk adults from being immunized against the novel virus. many research studies have explored different reasons for the vaccine hesitancy that exists in various parts of the world. In their research, Machingaidze and Wiysonge (2021) asserts that by end of June 2021, the world had over 180 million reported Covid-19 cases with nearly 4 million deaths. Further, the rollout of vaccines across different parts of the world was increasing but hesitancy to take them was still observed in all countries; right from low-income to high-income countries. In high income countries, the reasons for vaccine hesitancy include safety concerns against Covid-19 like the rapid speed of the development of the jabs. The implication is that many fear being vaccinated because they are concerned that the rapid development of the jabs may not have guaranteed quality and safety from potential side effects like blood clots.
Another study by Arce et al. (2021) on vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in low and middle-income countries
(LMICs) shows that while these countries have increased rates of acceptance due to personal protection, individuals still have concerns that lead to hesitancy. These include side effects as the most common reason and safety of the individuals. The study is consistent with the findings of Kaplan and Milstein (2021) who cite the need for safety and effectiveness of the vaccines as serious concerns affecting acceptance. The implication is that while many are ready to take the Covid-19 vaccines, the existing hesitancy arises from safety concerns, effectiveness of the jabs and the relatively fast pace of their development.
References
Dabla-Norris, E., Khan, H., Lima, F. & Sollaci, A. (2020). Who Doesn’t Want to be Vaccinated?
Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy During COVID-19.file:///C:/Users/USER/AppData/Local/Temp/wpiea2021130-print-pdf.pdf
Kaplan, R. M., & Milstein, A. (2021). Influence of a COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness and
safety profile on vaccination acceptance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(10). e2021726118; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2021726118
Machingaidze, S., Wiysonge, C.S. (2021). Understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Nature
Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01459-7
Solís Arce, J.S., Warren, S.S., Meriggi, N.F. et al. (2021). COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and
hesitancy in low- and middle-income countries. Nature Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01454-y