Literature Review: Vaccination Campaigns and Motivating Factors
Vaccination Campaigns and Motivating Factors
Researchers have found that the most effective way to combat the Covid-19 pandemic is through global vaccination. Covid-19 vaccines are used to “substantially reduce morbidity and mortality” within the general population (Deroo et al., 2020, para. 2). This correlates to vaccine companies’ aims to circulate their product safely and efficiently across the globe.
Deroo et al. (2020) believe that for the vaccine to reach its highest efficacy point, it must be available to healthcare workers and the general public to achieve herd immunity. However, the biggest obstacle to achieving herd immunity is vaccine hesitancy. This can be affected by publicly accessible vaccine research and the messaging behind it used to educate the public. It is believed that “a vaccine refusal rate greater than 10% could significantly impede attainment of this goal” (para. 3). Vaccine campaigns were created to educate the public about the need, safety, and goals of vaccination. The primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy and reactance are, “the necessity of vaccines, vaccine safety, and freedom of choice” (para. 3). Deroo et al.’s study demonstrated how enthusiasm for vaccination should be paired with a vaccine campaign and a vaccine distribution plan to ensure as much of the population as possible gets vaccinated quickly to decrease hospitalizations and deaths from the virus.
Although vaccine campaigns are effective in improving public perception of vaccination, some individuals still fear the rapid development and testing process behind the vaccine rollouts. Any potential safety concerns should be addressed in the publicly accessible vaccine information to reduce hesitancy and refusal among the public. Deroo et al. (2020) believe that the “contribution of individual vaccination to herd immunity” should also be included in the campaign to incentivize individuals to do what is best for the greater good (para. 5). Often, feelings of hesitancy toward vaccination reflect negative perceptions of the lack of time behind Covid-19 vaccine development and fears of experimentation for long-term effects yet to be fully discussed (Bogart et al., 2021, para. 5-79).
This study suggests that vaccination campaigns should utilize “traditional [mediums] and social media to engage” with the general public (Deroo et al. 2020, para. 7). This allows the vaccine companies, healthcare professionals, and political leaders to improve the accessibility of vaccine information. However, using social media may increase the chances of disinformation or misinformation spreading through the public regarding vaccination. Such theories and false information can be abolished through effective vaccine messaging.
The researchers conclude that “the groundwork for public acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine must be carefully started before a vaccine becomes available” to ensure optimal public acceptance and enthusiasm about vaccination (Deroo et al. 2020, para. 9). Vaccine campaigns must encourage the public to get vaccinated as soon as they can while “address[ing] known potential obstacles to vaccine acceptance using linguistically and culturally competent messaging” (para. 10). The messaging behind vaccine campaigns have the power to increase awareness of the benefits of vaccination and improve its public perception. This source was included in this research study to highlight the effects of vaccine campaigns on public perspectives of mandatory vaccination. Without such information, there would be a limited understanding of what publicly accessible information affects an individual’s decision regarding vaccination.
There are various motivations for someone to get vaccinated, but the most prominent are “to protect themselves and others, belief in vaccination and science, and to help stop the virus spread” (Dodd et al., 2021, p. 162). Certain groups have tended to favour vaccination more than others. These groups typically comprise healthcare professionals, residents of care facilities, the elderly, frontline workers, and the immunocompromised, as they face a greater risk if they contract the virus (Brüssow, 2021, p. 4).
Brüssow (2021) explained that “the only way out of the current health and economy crisis is widespread vaccination” (p. 10). Individuals who choose to receive the vaccine understand the necessity vaccination has on slowing down and eventually stopping this potentially life-threatening virus. “Successful vaccine roll-out will only be achieved by ensuring effective community engagement and by building vaccine confidence” through a positive public perception of vaccination established through effective messaging and transparent research (Brüssow, 2021, p. 11). Overall, those who are in favour of mass vaccination understand its importance in saving lives. This source was included in this research study as it reflects the questions asked in the study’s survey, which was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from the participants regarding their potential influences on vaccination.
