Covid-19: study reveals risks of vaccine hesitancy and a “nocebo” effect.

Covid-19: study reveals risks of vaccine hesitancy and a “nocebo” effect.


The lack of information on the side effects of the covid-19 vaccine makes the population hesitate. Studies point to the risks of a nocebo effect




Covid-19: study reveals risks of vaccine hesitancy and a “nocebo” effect.

A new study from Ariel University, Israel, has revealed the risks of vaccine hesitancy against covid-19, or the behavior of being reluctant to vaccinate despite the availability of immunisers. As researchers warn, this attitude is mainly reinforced by the lack of information on the side effects of the formulas.

The authors of the study highlight the possibility of a nocebo effect, i.e. side effects caused by psychological factors, and not by an active component of the treatment. The research analyzed the situation of 750 adults.

For comparison, the researchers looked at vaccine hesitancy and side effects at two different time points: after the second vaccination dose and six months after the booster dose. The researchers point out that, in female participants, this nocebo effect was more influenced by prior experience.

According to the article, for people at high risk for vaccine hesitancy (young adults, women), a public health message centered around the idea that a significant portion of their side effects are not due to the vaccine may be more beneficial. Communicating that side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine can be caused by anxiety or a previous negative expectation can be extremely effective.

These messages need to be combined with nocebo education, communicating that these side effects experienced are physically real, but still may not result from the vaccine itself, but from other factors.

The researchers themselves acknowledge that conveying this message should reduce the nocebo effect and, in turn, decrease the side effects of vaccination. Not only would this reduce the suffering of someone from side effects, but it would also lead to less support for anti-vax campaigns in general. Previously, studies have suggested that the misinformation contributes to low vaccination rates against covid-19.

Source: Science blog

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