(Shutterstock)
As COVID-19 case counts proceed to rise throughout Canada, it’s clear that we’re removed from “out of the woods” with this pandemic. Whereas a lot remains to be unknown in regards to the Omicron variant, it appears very seemingly that current vaccines will supply safety in opposition to extreme instances of COVID-19, and Canada is quickly administering booster pictures in an effort to assist to bolster immunity.
Click on right here for extra articles in our sequence about vaccine confidence.
Whereas vaccination protection in opposition to COVID-19 is comparatively excessive (76.49 per cent of the full inhabitants is totally vaccinated on the time of writing), there stays a considerable group of Canadians who’re both unvaccinated, or solely partially vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19.
At this level within the pandemic (greater than six months after most Canadian adults grew to become eligible to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine), ought to we declare this degree of vaccination protection because the “vaccine ceiling?” Our analysis suggests the reply isn’t any.
Vaccine hesitancy in a COVID-19 world
As outlined by the World Well being Group’s Strategic Advisory Group of Consultants (SAGE), the time period “vaccine hesitancy” is used to explain “a delay or refusal of vaccination, regardless of availability of vaccination companies.” The vary of explanation why some Canadians stay unvaccinated is broad, together with (however not restricted to) considerations about “private freedom,” well being considerations and the idea that COVID-19 shouldn’t be as severe a well being risk because it’s made out to be.
(Pixabay)
A lot of the present analysis on vaccine hesitancy has targeted on figuring out private or demographic elements related to vaccine hesitancy, akin to age, gender and socio-economic standing. Our analysis investigated the position of timing in vaccine uptake.
Given the distinctive nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccines, not all Canadians gained entry to a vaccine on the similar time — and plenty of all over the world are nonetheless ready for entry. Consequently, folks needed to begin enthusiastic about their vaccine choices in hypothetical or future contexts. Due to this, we sought to know how enthusiastic about COVID-19 vaccine availability alongside completely different timelines would possibly affect an individual’s vaccine choices.
Survey outcomes
In December 2020 (simply previous to broad vaccine availability in Canada), we requested Canadian survey respondents about their impending vaccine choices. Every participant was introduced with one variation of the query:
“If a coronavirus vaccine was obtainable to you (right now, or in a single month, or in six months, or in a single yr), would you get vaccinated, or not?”
In analyzing outcomes from this experiment, we discovered that the proportion of most enthusiastic members (those that chosen “Sure, as quickly as attainable” as a response) elevated considerably because the proposed date of vaccine availability grew to become extra distant.
Much more fascinating was our discovering that the proportion of hesitant folks decreased because the proposed date of vaccination moved additional into the longer term. The proportion who responded that they might “Wait a while” earlier than vaccination, and the proportion who responded, “No, I might not get a coronavirus vaccine,” each decreased as vaccine availability grew to become extra distant in time.
(Shutterstock)
This has vital implications for Canadian policy-makers. Whereas the swift uptake of a COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be the best state of affairs for squashing case counts, these findings recommend that those that are hesitant aren’t essentially going to refuse the vaccine altogether.
This discovering can also be helpful for international locations which are a lot additional behind on mass vaccination efforts, because it suggests a delayed vaccine rollout would possibly encounter much less hesitancy and have quicker uptake.
What are they ready for?
We additionally requested open-ended questions on what Canadians would watch for, earlier than getting the vaccine. What we discovered is that many Canadians who stated they have been ready for “a while to move” have been couching their true considerations (for instance, ready for a sure variety of different folks to be efficiently vaccinated first) throughout the extra broad class of “timing.”
It could be helpful to recollect this discovering when having conversations with of us who is likely to be vaccine hesitant. Providing area for folks to elaborate on their vaccine considerations would possibly assist bypass default responses and reveal different reasoning that has the potential to be addressed.
In some instances, these considerations would possibly even be addressed with empathetic listening, by enter from trusted consultants or from proof that speaks to the values and beliefs of those that have questions.
Learn extra:
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy might be overcome by relatable tales and accessible info
As latest Omicron surges remind us, vaccination alone shouldn’t be a silver bullet within the battle in opposition to COVID-19. Nonetheless, it stays an vital instrument in mitigating the unfold and severity of the illness, and the United Nations Basis nonetheless positions vaccine fairness as our greatest exit technique for the pandemic.
It appears practically sure that there’ll stay a gaggle of Canadians who select to by no means obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, our findings recommend that it’s unwise to imagine that every one Canadians who haven’t but been vaccinated won’t ever achieve this. They could simply be ready.
Do you will have a query about COVID-19 vaccines? E mail us at ca-vaccination@theconversation.com and vaccine consultants will reply questions in upcoming articles.
This undertaking was funded by a grant awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Analysis Council.
Eric B. Kennedy has obtained funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Analysis Council, the BC Ministry of Well being, and the Nationwide Science Basis.
Jean-François Daoust doesn’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or organisation that may profit from this text, and has disclosed no related affiliations past their educational appointment.