Study reveals stubborn mistrust in COVID-19 vaccine science

A study conducted by researchers from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) sheds light on public trust in COVID-19 vaccine science and its impact on vaccine acceptance in the United States from 2021 to 2023.

Analyzing data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2021, 2022, and 2023, the researchers found that around one-third of respondents expressed mistrust in the science behind COVID-19 vaccines (36.1% in 2021, 32.8% in 2022, and 36.2 in 2023).

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Individuals who lost a family member or close friend to COVID-19 were significantly more likely to trust vaccine science and accept vaccination. Those who experienced a loss within the past year were nearly four times more likely to trust the science compared to those who did not experience loss.

Higher trust levels

Higher trust levels were associated with male respondents, those with university degrees, and individuals with above-median incomes.

Trust in science was a strong predictor of vaccine acceptance and willingness to receive future boosters. Trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an information source was significantly correlated with both vaccine acceptance and future booster uptake.

“Our findings underscore the critical role of trust in science during public health crises,” says ISGlobal Postdoctoral Fellow Trenton M. White, the study’s lead author. “The fact that personal experiences of loss due to COVID-19 was associated with trust levels highlights the need for public health communications to be sensitive to the emotional impact of the pandemic.”

Considering backgrounds

The researchers emphasize that maintaining and enhancing public trust in vaccination programs requires strengthening trust in health communication from public sources, particularly the CDC. They suggest that future public health strategies should consider the diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds of the U.S. population to effectively build and maintain trust in science-based solutions.

“This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and health communicators as they continue to navigate the ongoing challenge of global vaccine hesitancy,” says CUNY SPH Dean Ayman El-Mohandes, the study’s senior author.