Concerns over COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy are reportedly growing among public health officials.
More than a year has passed since the pandemic crisis emerged. While the fight has yet to conclude, another pressing and challenging issue now surfaces across the globe. Experts call it the “COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.”
Vaccines continue to roll out in almost all parts of the globe. Although millions of people have already completed their vaccine shots, a sizable portion of the total population remains hesitant, adding that some even deem it unnecessary.
Hesitancy on COVID-19 vaccines may become the next challenge
Cleveland19 News reported that one in every five Americans has already said no to COVID-19 vaccine shots. While the number of people who are already fully vaccinated has now become significant, experts asserted that the pace may “slow down soon.”
In order to reach herd immunity in the United States, over 70 to 85 percent of the population should take the two shots. Accordingly, there is still reportedly a “long way to go,” and vaccine hesitancy will soon be the “next hurdle.”
The publication continued that the Kaiser Family Foundation has estimated that enthusiasm over the COVID-19 vaccine will likely drop in the next one to three weeks. If this happens, and people decide to remain hesitant, the demand for the vaccines will consequently drop.
The trend increases among Gen Z adults
WebMD said that the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy appears to have increased among Gen Zs. These individuals are those who were born between 1997 and 2012.
Earlier in March, a poll from the NBCLX/Morning Consult found that 26 percent of Gen Z respondents said no to vaccinations. Also, 19 percent claimed that they have yet to think about it. In comparison to its poll from the previous, there is an increase in number. As explained, only 5 percent of Gen Z adults said no to taking vaccines back in March 2020.
Similarly, a poll from STAT-Harris concluded that 21 percent of Gen Zs expressed their hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccines. Meanwhile, 34 percent of respondents from the same age group stated that they would “wait and see.”
Why people refuse COVID-19 vaccine shots
As for the reason behind this event, it remains unclear. The Philadelphia Inquirer deem it as “understandable,” adding that the immunization is new and the coronavirus is mutating to evade them. Despite this, though understandable is not reportedly the same as reasonable.
Some studies noted, however, that there are several factors as to why the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has become apparent these days. While some are minding the reported side effects, others have growing concerns about the “blood clots from the Johnson and Johnson,” according to WGME.
Images courtesy of World Health Organization (WHO)/YouTube