5 PAGE PAPER

Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination.

1. Topic introduction.

The COVID-19 has set once-in-a-century global health crisis at the end of 2019 and still continues to dominate people’s lives all around the world. In unprecedented time scientists were able to design, develop and test many vaccine candidates in order to stop the pandemic. Immunization practices, such as vaccination, have become effective and routine preventive measure in the process of eradicating and reducing the fatality rate of many viral illnesses (Fine et al. 912). Vaccination not only provides direct immunity but also proven to reduce infections among unvaccinated individuals, by achieving herd immunity in the population (Hajj Hussein et al.). However, negative perception, skepticism, and mistrust are major challenges to widespread immunization. In order to efficiently plan and target vaccine intake, it is important to identify general perception and intent to decline or delay vaccination. By conducting this survey, we will try to asset attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination among the general public.

2. Importance.

Negative attitude toward COVID-19 vaccine is a big challenge to curb the disease and to stop the pandemic. There are many reasons shaping population’s attitude and willingness of getting vaccinated; thus, in order to develop successful communication and mass-vaccination strategy, it is important to identify those concerns and target them more prissily (Paul et al. 100012). Some people might be hesitant to get vaccinated by a newly developed vaccine as they might not have enough information on safety, others might be scared of potential risks and side effects (Koplon). By identifying those concerns, policymakers can successfully shape public opinion, persuade and educate them. By conducting this survey, we can gather valuable information and ensure that the population has enough information, it is easily accessible and most important, that the decisionmaking process on vaccination policy is targeted and data-driven.

3. What we already know?

According to Pew Research Center, the percentage of U.S. adults who said they would definitely or probably get the COVID-19 vaccine has increased from 51% in September 2020 to 60% in December 2020 (Funk and Tyson). While it is a positive improvement, it is still not enough to achieve much-desired herd immunity. According to the World Health Organization, herd immunity against COVID-19 should be “achieved by protecting people through vaccination, not by exposing them to the pathogen that causes the disease” (Ghebreyesus). As noted by the NIAID director and chief medical advisor to the president Dr. Anthony Fauci, the level of vaccination should reach “…somewhere between 70, 75, maybe 80%” (CNBC Press Release), for the population to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.

4. Significance of survey.

While the United States government was able to purchase enough doses to vaccinate every American by the end of July (HHS Press Release), the number of those who willing to get the vaccine is still lagging desired 70-80%. As mentioned above, number of those with positive attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination was able to improve by 9% in a relatively short period, such a significant movement can be explained by the fact that the population can be persuaded, motivated, and encouraged to get vaccinated. Timing is crucial in the process of achieving herd immunity and slowing-down virus mutation; thus, surveys like this can help to identify the population’s concerns and to differentiate specific demographic groups prone to hesitate vaccination. Gathered data will allow to design and implement communication and persuasion strategies, it will also help policymakers to make more informed decisions and, if needed, to correct vaccination strategy.

Citation

HHS Press Release. “Biden Administration Purchases Additional Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines From Pfizer and Moderna.” United States Department of Health and Human Services, 12 Feb. 2021, www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/02/11/biden-administration-purchasesadditional-doses-covid-19-vaccines-from-pfizer-and-moderna.html.

CNBC Press Release. “CNBC Transcript: Dr. Anthony Fauci Speaks with CNBC’s Meg Tirrell Live During the CNBC Healthy Returns Livestream Today.” CNBC, 16 Dec. 2020, www.cnbc.com/2020/12/16/cnbc-transcript-dr-anthony-fauci-speaks-with-cnbcs-megtirrell-live-during-the-cnbc-healthy-returns-livestream-today.html.

Fine, P., et al. “‘Herd Immunity’: A Rough Guide.” Clinical Infectious Diseases, vol. 52, no. 7, 2011, pp. 911–16, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2015.00269.

Funk, Cary, and Alec Tyson. “Intent to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine Rises to 60% as Confidence in

Research and Development Process Increases.” Pew Research Center Science & Society, 3 Dec. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/science/2020/12/03/intent-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccinerises-to-60-as-confidence-in-research-and-development-process-increases.

Ghebreyesus, Tedros Adhanom. “Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Herd Immunity, Lockdowns and COVID-19.” World Health Organization, 31 Dec. 2020, www.who.int/news-room/qa-detail/herd-immunity-lockdowns-and-covid-19.

Hajj Hussein, Inaya, et al. “Vaccines Through Centuries: Major Cornerstones of Global

Health.” Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 3, 2015. Crossref, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2015.00269.

Koplon, By Savannah. “Why It’s Safe and Important to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine.” UAB News,

University of Alabama at Birmingham, 15 Jan. 2021, www.uab.edu/news/youcanuse/item/11797-why-it-s-safe-and-important-to-get-the-covid19-vaccine.

Paul, Elise, et al. “Attitudes towards Vaccines and Intention to Vaccinate against COVID-19: Implications for Public Health Communications.” The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, vol. 1, 2021, p. 100012. Crossref, doi:10.1016/j.lanepe.2020.100012.