The flu season has brought more than 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths to date. Despite these figures, only 34% of adults have been vaccinated.
Among those who do not get vaccinated, 16% express concerns about the safety of the vaccine and 13% say they “never get sick.” This resistance raises questions about public health decisions.
Research from Cornell Universityled by psychology professor Valerie Reyna, suggests that vaccination decisions are more influenced by intuition than by a rational analysis of risks and benefits. This study reveals that individuals often process information emotionally.
Key findings
Perception of risks and benefits significantly affects vaccination intentions.
In a group of young adults, knowledge about the vaccine only explained 14% of vaccination intentions, in contrast to 58% when responses based on the key questions were considered.
Reyna advocates for a communication approach that incorporates key question principles to reduce vaccine hesitancy. According to the research, it is essential to contextualize the data to facilitate a more effective understanding of the risks and benefits of vaccination.
“We make decisions based on the essence of the information: What does all this information boil down to? What is the decision really about?” said Valerie Reyna, Lois and Melvin Tukman Professor of Human Development in the Department of Psychology and the School of Human Ecology. Newsweek.
The professor suggests that it is vital to develop strategies that connect information with fundamental values, such as the desire to protect family and community, instead of simply listing facts. This could significantly improve the vaccination rate in the country.
“If we know the essence of how someone feels about these ideas, we can explain and predict their intentions regarding vaccination,” he explains.
Vaccination concerns
The main concerns about vaccine safety among unvaccinated people revolve around serious or unknown side effects, distrust in institutions, and fears about ingredients or rapid development. These concerns are based on global surveys and studies that identify consistent patterns.
The most cited concern is for serious or unknown side effects, reported by about 40% of unvaccinated adults against COVID-19 in US surveys. Other fears include mild reactions, allergies or long-term impacts, amplified by misinformation on social media.
Furthermore, institutional distrust prevails. Many people express a lack of trust in governments, pharmaceutical companies or rapid vaccine development processes, seeing them as motivated by hidden interests. This is associated with conspiracy theories and perceptions of underestimated risks.
Likewise, they fear that vaccines do not prevent infections or contain harmful ingredients such as adjuvants or preservatives. Studies highlight fears of infertility or toxicity, often based on myths rather than evidence.
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