Public Health

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: What You Need to Know

A public survey conducted in January 2021 showed that 60% of adults say they are very or somewhat likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine.1 A survey of health care nurses conducted in October 2020 showed a hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine amongst health care providers as well.2 Only 34% of nurses reported that they would voluntarily receive the vaccine, while 31% were still undecided. While an official percentage has not yet been reported, experts believe that 80% to 90% of the population will need to have immunity to COVID-19 for herd immunity to be reached.3

The widespread concern, both among the public and health care providers, stems from safety concerns about the vaccine development process.4 Despite a pledge made by multiple large pharmaceutical companies, 77% of US adults believe the vaccine will be approved before complete safety and efficacy data are gathered and understood.4 This concern regarding lack of understanding stems from a fear of the fast-paced development; 78% of people surveyed said their greatest concern was that vaccine development was moving too rapidly.4 Another concern regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is adverse effects, with 76% of those surveyed reporting adverse effects as their major cause for concern.4 The majority of persons surveyed who stated they would not get a COVID-19 vaccine (72%) said this was due to a lack of knowledge of how the vaccine works and its efficacy.4

The World Health Organization reports more than 50% of vaccine wastage worldwide.5 Data specific to COVID-19 vaccine wastage are not yet available. The 2 COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States expire shortly after they are removed from storage; hospital staff across the country after having to dispose of vaccine doses.

“The world needs multiple vaccines that work in different populations in order to meet global demand and end the COVID-19 outbreak. Ideally, those will be single-dose vaccines that do not require cold chain, could be delivered without a needle and syringe and are amenable to large-scale manufacture,” said Professor Mike Levine, Director of the Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland, in a news release.6

However, numbers show that individuals are increasingly willing to receive the vaccine; the 60% of US adults who reported they would get vaccinated in January 2021 has increased 12 points from December 2020.1 Continual education is important to increase the number of individuals who will choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Below are some links to resources and patient handouts to provide education regarding the COVID-19 vaccine:

 

—Audrey Amos, PharmD

References

  1. Tyson A, Johnson C, Funk C. U.S. public now divided over whether to get COVID-19 vaccine. Pew Research Center. September 17, 2020. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2020/09/17/u-s-public-now-divided-over-whether-to-get-covid-19-vaccine/
  2. Pulse on the nation’s nurses COVID-19 survey series: COVID-19 vaccine. News release. American Nurses Association. October 2020. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know/covid-19-vaccine-survey
  3. COVID-19 vaccine key to reaching ‘herd immunity’. News release. University of Missouri Health Care. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/covid-19-vaccine-key-reaching-herd-immunity
  4. Jackson C, Newall M. New poll shows increase in number of Americans willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Ipsos. January 12, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/axios-ipsos-coronavirus-index
  5. Monitoring vaccine wastage a country level. World Health Organization. May 2005. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/68463/WHO_VB_03.18.Rev.1_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  6. Scientists tackle vaccine safety, efficacy and access at global R&D forum. News Release. World Health Organization. January 16, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://www.who.int/news/item/16-01-2021-scientists-tackle-vaccine-safety-efficacy-and-access-at-global-r-d-forum