Study: What Could Increase Trust In the COVID-19 Vaccine Among Seniors?
- Who would seniors want to see take the COVID-19 vaccine to make they would feel more confident taking it? A recent study asked that very question and found some interesting answers.
As the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination continues, so too does some skepticism of the various version of the vaccine. But one recent study found out who has the best chance of changing that perception among senior adults.
The study of adults age 65 and over concluded that doctors and public health officials have the most power to convince seniors that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for use. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said that when it came to seeing someone they know taking the shot, a primary care physician (56%) or another doctor they know personally (17%) were the ones that would make them most comfortable taking the vaccine themselves.
The group seniors trust less than public health officials and doctors included spouses, adult children, friends, pastors, local politicians, parents and law enforcement officials.
Seeing Dr. Fauci Get Vaccinnated Instills More Vaccine Trust Than Seeing Bill Clinton
When it came to public figures, 58% said seeing a federal public health official get the shot would make them feel comfortable getting it too.
Roughly a quarter of respondents said they want to see the CEOs of the pharmaceutical companies that made the vaccines take the shot before they’d trust taking it themselves.
12% of the responses cited wanting to see the surviving previous presidents take the shot in order to trust it more. Daytime TV doctors and other celebrities were cited by fewer than 10% of the survey participants.
While there are certain people more likely to inspire confidence in the vaccine among seniors, the over 65 demographic doesn’t need much encouragement to begin with. The study found that 86% of adults 65 and over say they are already considering getting the vaccine, compared to the 14% who say they are not.
Still, the poll found that fears of side effects remain, even among those who plan to get the vaccine. Almost half of those surveyed said they are worried about potential side effects from the shot, which can include pain or swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, fatigue and headaches.