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As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on into its third year, large numbers of people continue to avoid vaccination and newer more contagious variants continue to emerge. But what are the underlying causes of vaccine hesitancy and general distrust of our public health system? These are questions the CONVINCE USA team at CUNY SPH investigated through a series of in-depth interviews conducted in 2021 with vaccine hesitant individuals located throughout the United States. The team interviewed survey respondents who reported being distrusting of the government and undecided about taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Vaccine hesitancy is tied to distrust in government, the mainstream media, and other important institutions,” says Clinical Professor Chris Palmedo, lead author. “Our participants cared about their own health and even public health, but they felt ignored by public and private institutions and expressed a desire to be listened to.”
The researchers, which included CUNY SPH alumni Lauren Rauh and Hannah Stuart Lathan, and Distinguished Lecturer Scott Ratzan, conclude the article with specific opportunities for public intervention and communications. Above all, they say, empathy and respectful communication is the clearest recommendation based on the research. Many respondents reported finding vaccine messaging to be condescending, underestimating their medical literacy. Patients, particularly those from marginalized communities, desire health care interactions in which their experiences are heard and validated, the authors say.
The authors also propose longer-term solutions for improving trust in the government and the media, including to facilitate multisectoral commitment to trustworthy communications and transparency. Trust is essential for the effective delivery of future health interventions, the authors say.
