COVID vaccine hesitancy is next
focus in LSEN round table series
by Missouri LSEN Staff
Just as COVID-19 case numbers and news changed on a dizzying, daily basis during the past 12 months, the same seems true for the vaccinations now readily available — as well as the reasons why groups and individuals are still reluctant to take the vaccine.
A virtual round table set for 3–5 p.m. Friday, April 30, will examine the status of COVID vaccinations in Missouri and research about ongoing vaccine hesitancy. The Local Science Engagement Network (LSEN) is sponsoring the round table. Panelists will represent other organizations, including the Missouri Foundation for Health, which recently commissioned a study on vaccine hesitancy.
Sign up for to view the live roundtable here>>
Previous LSEN round table discussions focused on climate science and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Two vaccines on pause.
The next round table comes under the backdrop of developing news about and regulatory reaction to pause the one-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine in the U.S. and the AstraZeneca vaccine in the U.K. Scientists are working to unravel what is sparking cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), the rare but severe blood clotting reaction that has now been associated with both coronavirus vaccines. Learn more here.
The Department of Health and Human Services officially paused the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 13. A news release from the DHHS underscores an important factor that will be highlighted during the upcoming roundtable: Vaccine safety monitoring systems are in place to respond to unexpected adverse events. In other words, pausing the vaccines for additional study is one indication that those safety systems are working, scientists say.
LSEN coordinator Dan English will host the April 30 round table along with Missouri Science & Technology (MOST)policy fellows Dr. Josh Mueller and Dr. Jenny Bratburd. Mueller is the transportation, public safety, and energy policy fellow. Mueller is the health and mental health policy fellow.
English said the trio will lead a discussion about the different cultural, political, and social divides that influence vaccine decisions. They will also focus on strategies to communicate about vaccines and diseases. English previously wrote about the status of COVID vaccines in Missouri. DAN BLOG — covid-19 vaccines in MO. Where does the show-me state stand?
Vaccine hesitancy increasing?
Meanwhile, the pause of the J&J vaccine does not affect the two other vaccines that are widely used in the United States — Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. For individuals who already have appointments for J&J vaccines, state and federal partners are working to get these appointments rescheduled for a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
The reports of unusual blood clots possibly linked to the J&J COVID-19 vaccine are exceedingly rare — six cases out of more than seven million U.S. inoculations with the one-dose vaccine. Recent surveys do indicate that the J&J pause seems to have increased skepticism of the vaccine’s safety among the general public.
There are also geographic, economic, and racial disparities in vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. For instance, many in suburban areas of the state are more readily accepting and even lining up to receive the vaccine. Conversely, more rural and low-income areas, as well as an increasing number of men who identify as Republican, are showing more reluctance.
Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) presented its findings of the vaccine study on March 31, stating that one of the main reasons for vaccine hesitancy was distrust of the government and the perceived speed of the vaccine development. Based on the research, some considerations put forth by MFH include:
· Remind people that getting vaccinated is their choice.
· Underscore the benefit to the community, particularly with Black and Hispanic audiences.
· Handle mistrust of government with a broad array of diverse validators.
· Continue to remind people that vaccines are safe, tested, and free.
· Reference everyone’s desire to get back to life as we know it — jobs, family gatherings, seeing friends, etc.
Vaccination language matters.
PBS News Hour recently featured a conversation with Rev. Russell Moore to talk about the reasons behind COVID vaccine hesitancy in the evangelical community. Moore said the reluctance was not about religious beliefs, but about mistrust and distrust in American society, and how prolonged isolation or separation has given rise to considerable misinformation.
The Public Relations Society of America has also weighed in on accurately communicating the vaccine message and options with the February commentary, “Why Language Matters When Communicating About COVID-19 Vaccinations.”
Citing a study from nonprofit insurer EmblemHealth, the commentary pointed out that making a distinction between vaccination — the process of getting vaccinated — and immunization — the result of being vaccinated — is also important. The public generally understands “COVID shot’ as the vaccination, but the term can have negative connotations, perhaps leading to more or stronger hesitancy.
