COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the National Guard
Vaccine hesitancy amongst the National Guard threatens their health and the safety of people they are responsible for during their Covid 19 humanitarian deployments. Overall skepticism towards vaccines and concerns over side effects threaten the readiness for the National Guard to fulfill its critical mission. It is impossible to combat vaccine hesitancy within the ranks without first diagnosing the problem-- its scope, which soldiers hold hesitant views, and for what reasons. To date, limited research on this topic has been conducted; during a preliminary search, specific data related to vaccine refusal by soldiers is almost nonexistent. Consequently, this preliminary survey of 37 National Guard is the first step into understanding the soldiers' concerns regarding the Covid 19 vaccination to identify the most relevant issues to them.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
I come from a community where my people face high rates of infection, hospitalization and death, I did not hesitate to be vaccinated, but what makes me crazy is every weekend when I return home to Fresno is the continuous Spanish-language viral misinformation spread on social media. Worse, I see how this is affecting the younger soldiers serving in my unit. I have been a soldier for 18 years, prior to this, all vaccinations were mandatory, that was a much better policy, now I have a third of my younger soldiers that refuse to get vaccinated. I am continuously responding to false rumors, conspiracy theories and a lot of misleading news reports that prey on vaccine fears. Surging misinformation has truly complicated an already difficult situation. I hope they make this vaccine mandatory immediately.
— Staff Sergeant, Age 45
Research
Although 77% Believe that Vaccines are effective, only 42% Believe that all vaccines offered by the military are beneficial and only 43% agree that the information they receive about vaccines from the vaccine program and the DOD is reliable . 91% believe that new vaccines carry more risk than older vaccines. 53% are uncomfortable getting a vaccine that was rushed into production. Only 45% stated that they get their information regarding the Covid 19 vaccine from their Healthcare provider, perhaps most informative is that 72% rely on information from social media outlets.
Ultimately 27% surveyed stated they would not get a Covid 19 Vaccine.
As the data from the survey illustrates unwillingness to take a vaccine will be more likely when excessive mistrust is a soldiers default position. If the soldier is mistrustful of both the experts and authority, the same tendency will apply to attitudes to the Covid-19 vaccination. Findings of the survey demonstrated that vaccine hesitancy would be closely connected to specific confidence and complacency beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccine as well as overall mistrust of leadership and a rejection of vaccine science.
Responding to Hesitancy
The goal of this study was to gather initial evidence of how a non-mandatory Covid 19 Vaccine program would affect the National Guard vaccination rates, as well as the prevailing underlying dimensions of Anti-Vaccination Attitudes of the soldiers, chief among them, include:
· Individual concern about contracting COVID-19 that would result in hospitalization. Those most concerned about getting a severe case of the coronavirus indicate a higher likelihood of getting a vaccine.
· Confidence in the vaccine development process. Belief that the research and development process culminated in a safe and effective vaccine indicates a higher likelihood of getting a vaccine.
· Previous vaccine history. Those who get an annual flu vaccine are much more likely than those who do not to get the Covid 19 vaccine
· Sources of Information. Those who rely on their physicians. recommendations regarding healthcare decisions are far more likely to get the Covid 19 vaccine.
Conclusion
The National Guard were among the first front-line workers to gain priority access to coronavirus vaccines. But their vaccination rates are lower than or about the same as those of the general public, according to data recorded in this limited study of 37 National Guard.
The findings suggest widespread mistrust and negative vaccine attitudes amongst the members of the National Guard. It is important to note the significant role that the most misinformation about vaccines and who are less likely to vaccinate against COVID-19 are predominantly coming from the younger member of the guard with the highest resentment to a mandatory vaccination requirement. The research presented here provides an initial glimpse as to the demographic groups who most need to be reached if we are to increase vaccine uptake rates in the National Guard without a mandatory vaccine requirement. There must be a sense of urgency for developing targeted public health messaging which emphasizes trust in vaccine safety.