Let’s Give It a Shot

How many people are willing to get vaccinated?

As of mid-April, over 174 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the U.S., with 33.7% of the total population receiving at least one dose.¹

Over 61% of U.S. adults have been vaccinated or intend to do so when it is available to them­—an increase from 55% in February. The individuals who are going to “wait and see” has declined by 5% to 17%.²

While it is promising that “intent to vaccinate” is increasing, it is far below what the U.S. needs to achieve herd immunity (the target number for herd immunity is still being studied).³

How do we build confidence in the new COVID-19 vaccines?

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine recently published “Strategies for Building Confidence in the COVID-19 Vaccines,” including overall approaches for engaging the public, building community trust and communication strategies to promote acceptance⁴:

1. Meet people where they are, and don’t try to persuade everyone.
2. Avoid repeating false claims.
3. Tailor messages to specific audiences.
4. Adapt messaging as circumstances change.
5. Respond to adverse events in a transparent, timely manner.
6. Identify trusted messengers to deliver messages.
7. Emphasize support for vaccination instead of focusing on naysayers.
8. Leverage trusted vaccine endorsers.
9. Pay attention to delivery details that also convey information.

References

1. CDC COVID Data Tracker. covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccination-demographic (Accessed 4.9.2021)
2. Kaiser Family Foundation COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: March 2021. kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/poll-finding/kff-covid-19-vaccine-monitor-march-2021 (Accessed 4.9.2021)
3. CDC COVID-19 Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 Vaccination. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
4. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2021. doi.org/10.17226/26068

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