In this video interview, we discuss vaccine hesitancy, first in measles as a historical backdrop, then for a potential or soon-to-be FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Abram Wagner, research assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan, joins us to discuss recent research on vaccine hesitancy. His research looks at evidence-based programs and policies to control vaccine-preventable diseases. He currently holds a grant from the National Science Foundation that looks at behaviors and acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine over time and across several regions, including the United States, India, and Taiwan.
Key Points
The vast majority of people who have some degree of vaccine hesitancy are not staunchly opposed to vaccination
Vaccine hesitancy varies across time, geography, culture, and country
“Pockets” of vaccine hesitancy may prevent herd immunity, even if 90% of the overall population is vaccinated
It’s possible that people will miss the 2nd dose of a 2-dose vaccine (e.g. Moderna or Pfizer’s vaccine)
Transparency on vaccine side effects is critical to maintaining public trust
An mRNA-based vaccine is a relatively new development, but RNA-based therapies (i.e. drugs) are not new
Time Stamps
0:08 Introduction
3:33 Measles and vaccine hesitancy
4:29 The “fence-sitters”
6:48 Vaccine uptake & measles outbreaks in small communities
7:52 What limits vaccine uptake?
10:37 Spatial variations in vaccine uptake (measles)
11:49 Spatial variations in vaccine uptake (COVID-19)
12:57: COVID-19 in Detroit’s African-American population
14:30 Vaccine acceptance among African-Americans
14:56 Fence-sitters in COVID-19 vaccine rollout
16:27 Pockets of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy
17:34 Variations in vaccine acceptance over time
18:58 Will people miss their 2nd dose of Pfizer/Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine?
22:06 Record-keeping for adult vaccinations
24:35 Public health messaging on vaccines
27:57 Public health messaging on vaccine side effects
28:45 Personal experiences with COVID-19 and vaccine acceptance
33:03 International variations in vaccine acceptance