The Relationship Between the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Hesitancy: A Scoping Review of Literature Until August 2021

Abstract

Background: Vaccines have been contributing to eradicate or drastically reduce the incidence of common diseases. Simultaneously, vaccine hesitancy is considered among the top ten global health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous impact on health, economics, and society worldwide, while also reinforcing faulty beliefs about the necessity of vaccine programs as a whole. This study aims to synthesise evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccine hesitancy.Methods: A scoping review of literature between 1 January 2020 and 1 August 2021 was performed.Results: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance decreased from more than 70 to <50% in 8 months starting from January 2020. Healthcare professionals demonstrate higher rates of vaccine receptivity than the public, which was more influenced by (social) media. The circulation of misinformation was associated with increased fear of side effects related to COVID-19 vaccines. Regarding other vaccines coverage, parents' intentions to vaccinate their children against influenza increased 15.8% during the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Nonetheless, the number of vaccines administered decreased, influenced by factors like fear of being exposed to the virus at healthcare facilities and restrictions.Conclusions: Several efforts should be undertaken to improve vaccine acceptance and coverage now and beyond the pandemic to optimal population protection.

Willingness of the General Public to Receive A COVID-19 Vaccine Booster — China, April–May 2021

“…This survey demonstrated that most of the vaccinated respondents (75.2%) would accept a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot when it became available. Although data on the efficacy and safety of the booster shot are still lacking, booster shots have a higher level of acceptance now than earlier doses of the vaccines did (4). Multiple studies have shown that vaccine acceptance changes over time, and the proportion of people who accept a vaccine may rise as the pandemic continues to fluctuate and the safety of vaccines is properly reported (4)(5).…”

“…Although data on the efficacy and safety of the booster shot are still lacking, booster shots have a higher level of acceptance now than earlier doses of the vaccines did (4). Multiple studies have shown that vaccine acceptance changes over time, and the proportion of people who accept a vaccine may rise as the pandemic continues to fluctuate and the safety of vaccines is properly reported (4)(5). Sociodemographic characteristics were important factors affecting the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine booster.…”

“…The National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) and the United States Centers for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are planning a COVID-19 vaccine booster so that vaccinated people can maintain protection over the coming months (2)(3). Numerous studies have shown that vaccination willingness is influenced by a variety of factors and that it changes over time (4)(5). It is necessary to understand the public's willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster.…”

Is Europe prepared to go digital? making the case for developing digital capacity: An exploratory analysis of Eurostat survey data

“…One example is the use of AI-assisted diagnoses and the provision of telehealth for physical and mental health issues, driven by the symbiotic need to keep patients out of hospitals where they might have a high risk of spreading or contracting covid and limiting physical contact with medical staff [15]. Another example is the prominent role that social media has played in spreading factually incorrect information during the pandemic [16][17][18]. Digital skills can no longer be considered luxuries; they are foundational to modern governance, societal and economic functioning, and access to parts of the healthcare and public health systems [14]-as reflected by the European Skills Agenda 2020 update [19].…”

A Deadly Infodemic: Social Media and the Power of COVID-19 Misinformation

“…In fact, the US Surgeon General warned in 2021 that misinformation is the greatest threat to COVID-19 vaccination efforts [ 10 ]. COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation on social media increases vaccine hesitancy, lowers vaccination rates, and causes preventable deaths, especially among certain demographic populations [ 11 , 12 ]. The COVID-19 infodemic remains deadly, and we must act.…”