Title : Continued COVID-19 Vaccine Uncertainty in the United States in the Post-Pandemic Era
Abstract:
The production, distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccines was pivotal in changing the course of the pandemic; however, relative uptake of the vaccines varied across regions.
The Ipsos Global Core Vaccines Study is a multi-country, multi-centre, online, consumer review survey, conducted in November 2023. The survey aimed to track perceptions around vaccination and investigate the factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine uptake, particularly focusing on US consumers aged 18-74 (2,002 sampled), in comparison to EU4 & UK consumers aged 16-74 (7,511 sampled).
The data showed a higher rate of non-vaccination for COVID-19 among the US cohort compared to the EU4 & UK (25% vs 10%), since vaccines became available. Interestingly, more of the EU4 & UK consumers have not received a flu vaccine in the last 5 years than in the US (48% vs 30%). This suggests a more specific hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine in the US. Further investigation revealed a greater proportion of the US consumers cited concerns about long-term side effects (46% vs 39%), mistrust of the vaccine technology used (35% vs 17%), and a desire for further efficacy and safety data (15% vs 10%) as barriers to vaccination, vs. the EU4 & UK cohort. Additionally, the US consumers were more likely than their EU4 & UK counterparts to rely on family and friends (17% vs 11%), social media (13% vs 8%) and online information from pharmaceutical companies (14% vs 9%) for COVID-19 vaccine-related information, while being less likely to seek advice from their family doctor or healthcare provider (40% vs 47%).
The higher rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the US sample compared to the EU4 & UK, in this study, appears to be influenced by a range of factors, including concerns about side-effects and vaccine technology, and the reliance on less formal and regulated information sources. This may result in a potentially greater opportunity for consumers to be misinformed or uninformed and greater inaction towards necessary routine vaccination in the future as COVID-19 vaccines are continually updated with the emergence of new variants. The US consumers surveyed highlighted a need for additional information on safety and efficacy and suggested willingness to consult reputable sources. This highlights the importance of targeted public health messaging and trust- building strategies to address these concerns and improve vaccine uptake. Further analysis is warranted to understand the deeper concerns of the consumer and what may drive behavioural change towards vaccination.
