Communicating about COVID-19 vaccine development and safety

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 5;17(8):e0272426. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272426. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Purpose: Beliefs that the risks from a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks from getting COVID-19 and concerns that the vaccine development process was rushed and lacking rigor have been identified as important drivers of hesitancy and refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine. We tested whether messages designed to address these beliefs and concerns might promote intentions to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Method: We conducted an online survey fielded between March 8-23, 2021 with US Veteran (n = 688) and non-Veteran (n = 387) respondents. In a between-subjects experiment, respondents were randomly assigned to a control group (with no message) or to read one of two intervention messages: 1. a fact-box styled message comparing the risks of getting COVID-19 compared to the vaccine, and 2. a timeline styled message describing the development process of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Results: Most respondents (60%) wanted a COVID-19 vaccine. However, 17% expressed hesitancy and 23% did not want to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The fact-box styled message and the timeline message did not significantly improve vaccination intentions, F(2,358) = 0.86, p = .425, [Formula: see text] = .005, or reduce the time respondents wanted to wait before getting vaccinated, F(2,306) = 0.79, p = .453, [Formula: see text] = .005, compared to no messages.

Discussion: In this experimental study, we did not find that providing messages about vaccine risks and the development process had an impact on respondents' vaccine intentions. Further research is needed to identify how to effectively address concerns about the risks associated with COVID-19 vaccines and the development process and to understand additional factors that influence vaccine intentions.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / adverse effects
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Health Communication*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Vaccination / psychology
  • Vaccination Hesitancy
  • Vaccine Development*
  • Vaccines

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Vaccines

Grants and funding

Funding for the study was provided by the VA (VA C-19-20-205; for recruitment of Veterans) to Drs. AF and LS and Dr. AF's Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair (for recruitment of non-Veterans). Dr. AT was supported by grant No. 51300302 from the American Heart Association Children’s Strategically Focused Research Network fellowship awarded to Dr. AF. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.