Sustained vaccine education and trust-building efforts are needed to keep countries prepared for future health emergencies, the researchers say. Credit: S. Priyadarshini
Despite the availability of effective vaccines after the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and inequitable distribution continue to impede global immunisation efforts, a recent study across 23 countries, including India, suggests1.
The study by Jeffrey Lazarus at City University of New York and colleagues across the world looked into public perspectives on COVID-19 and routine immunization, trust in information sources, and preparedness for future pandemics.
Their survey of 23,000 people from high- and middle-income countries reveals a decline in the intent to receive COVID-19 booster vaccines in 2023, with only 71.6% of participants expressing willingness compared to 87.9% in the previous year. This shift reflects vaccine fatigue among some segments of the population, posing a significant challenge to ongoing vaccination efforts, the researchers say.
60.8% of respondents indicating an increased willingness to get vaccinated for diseases other than COVID-19 as a result of their pandemic experience. 23.1% reported decreased willingness, reflecting the complex interplay of factors shaping public perceptions of vaccination.
Trust in information sources related to vaccines remains a critical issue, with the study revealing varying levels of confidence across different sources. While one's own doctor or nurse and the World Health Organization garnered relatively higher trust ratings, averaging 6.9 and 6.5 respectively on a 10-point scale, trust in other sources fell below this threshold. There was variability across countries, for example, ‘religious leaders’ ranked 3.16 in Sweden and 3.19 in Germany but 6.57 in Nigeria and 6.72 in India, whereas ‘my doctor or nurse’ ranked 4.95 in Russia and 7.70 in Kenya.
The findings capture challenges faced by public health practitioners in navigating vaccine hesitancy and building trust among diverse populations. The researchers urge the need for targeted, culturally sensitive health communication strategies to address vaccine fatigue and promote vaccine acceptance.
