Read an interesting article on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Europe published in The Lancet online on February 3, 3022. Authors note that Europeans have low confidence in vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines have magnified the problem as a result of misinformation spread on the internet, ”distrust of government and the pharmaceutical industries,” and other factors.
The authors point out that there are “differences of opinion regarding acceptable government controls,” which has led to “polarization in society.”
To effectively convince people to accept vaccination it requires ”personal engagement” and sharing of relevant positive information for different groups of people that are “adapted to social and cultural norms.”
France tried requiring a vaccine “health pass” that did increase their vaccination rate but “has not reduced hesitancy itself.” A study in the United Kingdom showed that vaccine passports were supported by those already favorable towards the vaccines but ”hardened vaccine hesitancy and resistance among those” who were opposed to begin with
The authors encourage governments to “be careful with vaccine mandates to avoid alienating” people. Also, let people know that vaccination does not take the place of other preventive measures such as wearing a mask in public indoor events.
Other lessons: ”manage expectations,” ”efforts to increase vaccine confidence should be ”an international effort,” and remember that ”rumors and misinformation travels fast across borders especially via the internet.”
Lessons from Europe can be applied to the U.S. because we are dealing with similar concerns. Making a medical issue such as vaccination for a pandemic into a political matter is harmful to society.
We can be sure that there will be more pandemics; we just don’t know when or what organism will be involved We should learn from our mistakes made this time.
Peter M. Hartmann, MD (February 9, 2022)
