IN order to understand why some people refuse to get vaccinated or put off getting their first injection, a Polish study looked at their arguments. While the researchers are fairly pessimistic about convincing anti-vaxxers to change their minds and get a COVID-19 vaccine, they recommend focusing efforts on people who are undecided about vaccination.
Researchers from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow and the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Wroclaw, Poland have analyzed the discourse of individuals who declared themselves opposed to vaccination. Published in the journal Social Psychological Bulletin, the study, conducted online via a questionnaire, was based on an initial panel of 3,000 Polish inhabitants representative of the population. Only the people who thought that "vaccines do more harm than good" were retained for the rest of the study, a group of 492 people. These participants were classed into two categories, vaccine deniers and those who are skeptical or ambiguous.
The researchers collected a series of statements used by Polish anti-vaxxers. To list them, they attended a conference in which those opposed to the vaccine presented their arguments on the subject. The study conducted by Dr. Katarzyna Stasiuk focused on the role of individuals' personal experiences in the face of vaccine-related concerns.
"Results indicate that individuals who declared a negative experience with vaccination were persuaded by all types of anti-vaccine arguments," the study outlined." Moreover, pre-existing anti-vaccine skepticism may cause individuals to interpret negative symptoms as consequences of vaccines, further reinforcing the negative attitude." These individuals also tended to believe that vaccination could cause serious negative side effects and health problems such as autism or long-term illness. Vaccine deniers also believed that vaccines "don't protect the individual and the society against infectious diseases."
A mishmash of arguments
So had they lived through or witnessed first-hand negative personal experiences related to vaccination? Many individuals answered in the affirmative. However, despite their declaration that their attitudes were based on their own experience or what they had personally observed, "when asked about their reasoning, they were rather vague in their explanations," the study points out, noting responses such as fever or post-vaccine syndromes. In addition, some statements could not be correlated with an injection (such as autism or the development of allergies).
Regarding the reasoning of some anti-vaxxers, the researchers outlined that many said they did not remember the source of the information.
This could be related to confirmation bias, which refers to an "individual actively seeking information consistent with their pre-existing hypothesis," the researchers explain, a process that then reinforces their beliefs.
A race to convince the undecided
Participants who were classed as "ambiguous" on the subject "were mostly confident in the efficacy of vaccines, as well as them being properly researched," the study found.
However their trust still needs to be won over as "they were still susceptible to the anti-vaccine movement's statements about side effects and the 'Big Pharma conspiracy'."
By studying the "ambivalent" position of the undecided demographic, the researchers hope to determine the arguments that are most likely to sway them. This is important because they represent a larger proportion than the vaccine deniers.
On the other hand, researchers are skeptical about the possibility of changing the mind of an anti-vaxxer.
ETX Studio
Wed Aug 04 2021
A Polish study looks at the arguments of anti-vaxxers and people who are reluctant to get vaccinated. - ETX Studio
ANALYSIS - What could happen if Trump rejects the US election results
If Trump seems to be losing, the delay could let him claim fraud and undermine confidence in election officials.
Motorcycling - Marquez wins Australian MotoGP after intense battle with Martin
The 31-year-old, third in the championship standings, has now won the Australian MotoGP four times in the premier class.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.