3/29—Default appointments and onsite vaccination increase uptake
Escaping Catch-22 — Overcoming Covid Vaccine Hesitancy
For those with intent to be vaccinated, interventions such as default appointments and onsite vaccination effectively increase uptake. Less is known, however, about how to increase uptake by modifying the beliefs of the hesitant. In one randomized trial targeting parents with children eligible for the measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine, researchers tested various messaging strategies. One strategy refuted the claim that vaccines cause autism, while others featured pictures of children with the diseases the MMR vaccine prevents or a dramatic narrative about an infant who nearly died of measles. These strategies not only failed to increase intent to vaccinate, but among vaccine skeptics, they actually did the opposite.
National differences in vaccine hesitancy: a concern for the external validity of vaccine studies
Data from 2019 showed that the perception of vaccine safety varies considerably with nationality. In Denmark, 47·2% of the population strongly agreed that vaccines are safe, compared with only 29·8% of the population in the Netherlands and 29·7% of the French population. Awareness of these differences is paramount, as they can diminish the external validity of studies addressing vaccine hesitancy in specific patient groups.
Correcting COVID-19 vaccine misinformation
Here we provide a brief “primer” to assist healthcare providers in correcting a growing body of misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. [Topics include: Rushing Vaccines, Forced Vaccinations, “Genetically Modified Humans”, 5 G, and Fetal Abortions.]
COVID-19, cults, and the anti-vax movement
Lessons from studying cults can inform approaches to the anti-vax movement. A cult has come to mean a non-conforming ideology, or a religion that is disliked, with beliefs that are unacceptable to mainstream society. Just as cults are grouped together as sinister, bad, or wrong, the discourse surrounding anti-vaxxers in both academic and popular circles can be dismissive and derogatory. The pejorative label and negative attitudes towards cults promote an us-and-them viewpoint, creating martyrs, and extending the length of time that members hold the new beliefs, thus encouraging further involvement in the movement and radicalisation. We suggest a more inclusive approach.
Predictors of attitudes and adherence to COVID-19 public health guidelines in Western countries: a rapid review of the emerging literature
In total, 1323 unique articles were identified in the initial search, resulting in 29 studies in the final synthesis. The available evidence suggests individuals who are older, identify as women, trust governments, perceive COVID-19 as threatening and access information through traditional news media are more likely to adhere with COVID-19 public health guidelines. Interventions for improving adherence have not yet been investigated thoroughly, and this review identified only three experimental studies.