The Lancet Study: Most COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in England Overcome as 65% of Initially Reluctant Individuals Vaccinated

New Research Highlights Addressable Nature of Vaccine Hesitancy

A significant study published today in The Lancet has shed new light on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in England, indicating that the majority of initial reluctance was based on concerns that could be, and often were, overcome. The research, conducted by scientists at Imperial College London, found that nearly two-thirds, or 65%, of individuals who were initially hesitant about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine ultimately went on to get vaccinated at least once.

The findings, which analyzed data from over 1.1 million people in England between January 2021 and March 2022, suggest that widespread public vaccine skepticism can be successfully addressed over time with increased information and understanding.

Common Concerns and Their Resolution

The study identified several common reasons for initial vaccine hesitancy. These included concerns about the vaccine's effectiveness, potential side effects, and worries about long-term health effects. Specifically, among hesitant participants who provided a reason, 41% reported concerns about long-term health effects, 39% wanted to wait to see if the vaccine worked, and 37% were worried about side effects.

Researchers observed that individuals citing these particular concerns were more likely to change their minds and proceed with vaccination. This indicates that providing reliable, easy-to-understand information on vaccine effectiveness and potential risks played a crucial role in increasing public confidence as the vaccine rollout progressed.

Persistent Hesitancy in Specific Groups

While many concerns proved addressable, the study also highlighted types of hesitancy that were more resistant to change. Individuals who expressed a general anti-vaccine sentiment, a mistrust of vaccine developers, or who perceived their personal risk from COVID-19 to be low, were less likely to get vaccinated. These groups were found to be two to three times less likely to receive a vaccine compared to those without such reasons for hesitancy.

Demographic variations in hesitancy were also noted. For instance, men were more likely than women to report not considering COVID-19 a personal risk (18% vs 10%), while women were more concerned about fertility-related consequences (21% vs 8%). Older individuals (74 years or older) were more prone to general anti-vaccine sentiments compared to younger adults (18-24 years old).

Implications for Future Public Health Campaigns

Professor Paul Elliott, co-senior author of the paper from Imperial's School of Public Health, emphasized the importance of ensuring access to reliable and trusted information for informed health decisions. Professor Helen Ward, another co-author, noted that the study suggests 'certain types of vaccine hesitancy are more readily addressed than others' and that 'public confidence increased and the original vaccine scepticism was largely overcome' as the vaccine was rolled out.

The research, which utilized longitudinal survey data from the Real-time Assessment of Community Transmission (REACT) Study and linked it with National Health Service (NHS) vaccination records up to May 7, 2024, provides valuable insights for public health officials and policymakers. It underscores the need to tailor communication strategies to address specific concerns and build trust, particularly for future vaccination efforts against novel diseases.