Vaccine uptake higher among people who knew someone who died of COVID-19: U.S. survey – CTV

Feb. 7, 2023

Throughout the pandemic, public health experts have tried numerous strategies to increase vaccine uptake and combat fears surrounding COVID-19 vaccines — but according to a new U.S. survey, having a personal connection to someone who caught COVID-19 may be a greater predictor of vaccine intake than any scientific strategy.

Researchers surveyed more than 1,000 Americans in 2021 regarding whether they had received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, and outlined their research in a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Vaccine in January.

Participants were asked if they had any family members or friends who had been sick with or died of COVID-19.

What the study found was that those who had witnessed a loved one battle COVID-19 or die of it were more likely to have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine compared to those who didn’t have any loved ones impacted by the disease.

Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/vaccine-uptake-higher-among-people-who-knew-someone-who-died-of-covid-19-u-s-survey-1.6262608