Monday 26 July 2021

Multiple Messages on Covid Vaccines to the UK's Younger Age-Groups?

In the UK, there was an initially impressively rapid uptake of vaccines when the process started with older (more vulnerable) people. The speed of this programme seems, however, to be flagging, as it starts to deal with young adults. Some of this slowing could be down to the influence of a plethora of online antivaxx material. A recent extreme example includes a rant by an ex-nurse, comparing NHS medical staff, delivering vaccines, to Nazi war criminals ( https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/26/met-police-investigate-anti-vaxxer-as-speech-sparks-fears-for-safety-of-medics ). This puts people, working hard to increase public safety, at genuine risk. Some young people have been influenced by antivaxx material on social media. When questioned, some describe the vaccines as 'experimental'. This is even after the well-documented testing prior to release and the fact that 20 million doses have been safely given. Other young reluctants talk about the vaccines being a possible threat to fertility (likely to be a concern in young adults). They say that this aspect as not yet been thoroughly tested. Some young UK vaccine hesitants might consequently have concerns, potentially inflammed by online misinformation. Most appear, however, to be more influenced by a subliminal message (especially in England), they have received from their own government. The economy was reopened on so-called 'Freedom Day', before many young adults had had the vaccine. This was taken as a signal that it's now safe for 18-29 year olds to get Covid, with few consequences (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/24/under-30s-reluctant-to-take-covid-vaccine-cite-fertility-and-side-effect-concerns). Young UK adults have accepted as a truism that they have less to fear from a Covid infection, than the 'old folk'. This now seems reflected in declining rates of jab uptakes with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Only around 58% of 18-29 year olds have elected to have a first vaccine dose. Take up appears especially low in cities. In Birmingham, Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester, fewer than 50% of young adults have taken up an offered vaccine. This is in spite of a dramatic rise in Covid cases for people in their 20's. Most 18-30 year olds have little sense of threat from a Covid infection. Young adults seem 'relaxed' about getting jabbed and many 'vaccine hesitants' are prepared to 'wait and see'. Perhaps this is what government really wants? If so, I'm not convinced it's a good idea.

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