COVID-19 vaccine rollout risk communication strategies in Europe: a rapid response

Abstract

Risk communication is a vital part of any risk management strategy but has become even more important in the time of the COVID-19 global health crisis. In recent months, nations across Europe have begun to consider strategies for rolling out vaccines, which is widely seen as the way to overcome high death rates and widespread lockdowns over the course of 2020. In most European nations, vaccinations are not mandatory and thus public willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 must be high to achieve lofty goals of reaching herd immunity from the virus. This paper evaluates current communication strategies on vaccine rollouts in several European nations: the UK, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Following an outline of the history of vaccination issues and unique public vaccine hesitancy profiles in each nation, an overview on current risk communication strategies around the vaccine rollout are offered, focusing on two key areas: (1) communication of the vaccine rollout timeline and 'expectations management', and (2) communication of which groups are to be prioritised for any vaccine. From the findings of the paper, it is recommended that nations aiming to promote high vaccine uptake and avoid trust-destroying events: promote informed consent amongst their citizens; are cautious in optimism and manage expectations appropriately; follow scientific advice to vaccine rollout strategies; disseminate and administer the vaccine using local trusted doctors, GPs and nurses; are open and honest about when people will get a vaccine and uncertainties associated with them.

Challenges to COVID-19 vaccine supply chain: Implications for sustainable development goals

“…There has been an immense scientific breakthrough in the development of COVID-19 vaccines ( Weintraub et al, 2021 ). Nations across the world have planned rollout of the approved vaccines to limit the transmission and damage due to the COVID-19 pandemic ( Warren and Lofstedt, 2021 ). 17 vaccines entered Phase II trials and three vaccines (AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer) have been rolled out in the EU and the UK ( Warren and Lofstedt, 2021 ).…”

“…Nations across the world have planned rollout of the approved vaccines to limit the transmission and damage due to the COVID-19 pandemic ( Warren and Lofstedt, 2021 ). 17 vaccines entered Phase II trials and three vaccines (AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer) have been rolled out in the EU and the UK ( Warren and Lofstedt, 2021 ). The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with scientists, global health organizations, and non-profit business organizations for “Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT)” to accelerate the COVID-19 response ( Shervani et al, 2020 ).…”

“…COVID-19 vaccines have been referred to as the light at the end of the tunnel’ to finally return to some forms of normalcy ( Warren and Lofstedt, 2021 ). Several manufacturing companies are racing to mass-produce COVID-19 vaccines ( Kim et al, 2021 ).…”

Allocation of COVID-19 vaccination: when public prioritisation preferences differ from official regulations

“…This elicited discussions on how the low number of vaccines should be allocated, [2][3][4] leading to country-specific prioritisation strategies. 5 For instance, in Germany, the Standing Committee on Vaccination, the German Ethics Council and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina considered four allocation objectives: (1) the distribution should reduce severe and deadly infections, (2) protect people with high exposure due to their work, (3) prevent transmission and (4) sustain public life. 6 Based on these objectives, a prioritisation strategy was developed assigning groups of people to six different priority levels (table 1).…”

Public opinion on coronavirus vaccination: Health Implications of Americans' surprisingly widespread acceptance of early Russian and Chinese vaccines

“…There are widespread fears that many -even well educated, well informed people in developed nations like the USA, Britain, and the EU -would be hesitant to accept vaccination against coronavirus. 1 Indeed WHO has "vaccine hesitancy" among its top "ten threats to global health in 2019", The US is no exception (Lin, Tu and Beitsch 2021;Pew 2020a); nor is Europe (Warren and Lofstedt 2021).…”