COVID-19 Literature Review

Introduction

Vaccine hesitancy is a big challenge in public health, and this became especially obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic. This problem is characterized by delay of some in the public in accepting or even outright refusing vaccines despite availability. The problem that the vaccine industry argues is that it could pose significant risks to public health efforts aimed at controlling infectious diseases. The reasons behind vaccine hesitancy are often situated in culture, personal experience or anecdotal evidence. It is important to know these underlying causes so as to develop effective strategies to enhance vaccine uptake and combat public health crises.

This review looks into four articles that shed light on the issues of vaccine hesitancy. Kalichman and Eaton (2023) explore the historical context and tactics of the anti-vaccination movement. Preis et al. (2023) focus on the specific demographic of pregnant women, examining how social determinants of health influence their vaccination intentions. Delporte et al. (2023) investigate the roles of optimism and moralization in vaccination decisions. Martin et al. (2023) analyze how healthcare experiences and medical trust impact COVID-19 vaccination intentions among Black and White Americans. Together, these studies provide a deeper understanding of the various dimensions of vaccine hesitancy, and individually they give new insights for public health policies and interventions.

Overview of the Articles

The article by Kalichman and Eaton (2023) examines the anti-vaccination movement, along with its historical roots and contemporary tactics. Kalichman and Eaton (2023) go into the evolution of vaccine denialism, and show how it has adapted and persisted today thanks to the influence of social media as a platform for spreading anti-vaccination messaging. The authors argue that the anti-vaccine movement relies on public fears and distrust in medical authorities. Their analysis shows the movement's impact on public health, particularly in hindering the uptake of both established and new vaccines. The article concludes with a call for effective counter-messaging strategies to preemptively discredit vaccine denialists and mitigate their influence on public health.

Preis et al. (2023) focus on a specific demographic to investigate factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intentions and uptake among pregnant women. The researchers use the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Health Belief Model to explore how perceptions and social determinants of health (SDoH) such as socioeconomic status and minority identity impact vaccine-related decisions. The study involved 1,899 pregnant women across the United States, and found that SDoH, perceived threats of COVID-19, and attitudes toward infection mitigation behaviors significantly predict vaccine intention. The findings show that lower socioeconomic status and identification as Black/African American are associated with reduced vaccination intention and uptake. Their conclusion is that there is the need for public health strategies that address accessibility barriers and provide targeted information about vaccine safety and efficacy, particularly for vulnerable populations like pregnant women.

The article by Delporte et al. (2023) is a longitudinal study conducted in Belgium that looks at whether personal and comparative optimism, perceived effectiveness, and moralization of vaccination predict individuals' vaccination decisions. The study used 5,000 participants over five waves, and investigated these factors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show that personal and comparative optimism about COVID-19 infection, severe disease, and outcomes significantly influence vaccination decisions, with variations observed across different age groups and linguistic-cultural regions. Interestingly, the study points out that moralizing vaccination viewing it in prosocial terms is associated with a lower likelihood of a positive vaccination decision, particularly among older participants. These results suggest that public health messages should carefully consider how they frame vaccination, particularly when targeting different demographic groups.

Finally, the study by Martin et al. (2023) looks at the impact of healthcare experiences and medical trust on COVID-19 vaccination intentions among Black and White Americans. Conducted in two parts, the research looks at how current health care experiences, knowledge of historical medical mistreatment, and levels of medical trust correlate with vaccination intentions. The findings suggest that Black Americans, compared to White Americans, report lower vaccination intentions, which are associated with less positive healthcare experiences...

…with social, demographic, psychological, and systemic factors. This understanding calls for public health strategies that are not only broad and inclusive but also nuanced and targeted to address the specific needs and concerns of different groups. That means public health workers need to know why people resist vaccines, so that they can come up with counter-approaches to help people overcome their false optimism, their bias, their historical trauma, or the system of injustice that still exists in some ways. It is not always going to be a matter of this or that factor being the main cause. There are likely to be situations where some of the findings of the articles could be applied easily. There may even need to be more research done to understand the issue even better. In fact, the articles do leave the door open to further research on a number of points that they cover.

Conclusion

These studies collectively emphasize that vaccine hesitancy is not a simple issue with one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, it is a complex phenomenon influenced by a web of interrelated factors, including misinformation, societal beliefs, individual psychology, demographic characteristics, and systemic healthcare issues. This complexity necessitates public health strategies that are multifaceted, targeted, and sensitive to the diverse needs and concerns of various populations. Understanding the various factors influencing vaccine hesitacy is crucial for developing effective public health interventions. Tailored strategies that address specific concerns of different demographic groups, combat misinformation effectively, and build trust in healthcare systems are essential. These findings also highlight the importance of continuous research to adapt and refine public health strategies in response to the evolving landscape of vaccine hesitancy. Ultimately, the insights gained from these studies are invaluable in guiding public health policies and interventions aimed at increasing vaccine uptake. They underscore the need for a comprehensive approach that considers the complex interplay of societal, psychological, and systemic factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. As the world continues to face public health challenges, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, these findings provide a…