Influence of COVID-19 on trust in routine immunization, health information sources and pandemic preparedness in 23 countries in 2023

Nat Med. 2024 Jun;30(6):1559-1563. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-02939-2. Epub 2024 Apr 29.

Abstract

It is unclear how great a challenge pandemic and vaccine fatigue present to public health. We assessed perspectives on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and routine immunization as well as trust in pandemic information sources and future pandemic preparedness in a survey of 23,000 adults in 23 countries in October 2023. The participants reported a lower intent to get a COVID-19 booster vaccine in 2023 (71.6%), compared with 2022 (87.9%). A total of 60.8% expressed being more willing to get vaccinated for diseases other than COVID-19 as a result of their experience during the pandemic, while 23.1% reported being less willing. Trust in 11 selected sources of vaccine information each averaged less than 7 on a 10-point scale with one's own doctor or nurse and the World Health Organization, averaging a 6.9 and 6.5, respectively. Our findings emphasize that vaccine hesitancy and trust challenges remain for public health practitioners, underscoring the need for targeted, culturally sensitive health communication strategies.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Information Sources
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemic Preparedness
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2* / immunology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Trust*
  • Vaccination / psychology
  • Vaccination Hesitancy* / psychology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines