Vaccine hesitancy and mental health

THE EDITOR: Vitriolic debates, some of which degenerate into insults and name calling, rage on social media with respect to covid19 vaccine hesitancy and rejection. But as a TT-based member of The Caribbean Voice pointed out, those who make and implement policies really need to listen to those who have issues with the vaccine and recognise that a lot of it, including the fears, have to do with mental health.

Fears are often based on personal issues such as individuals being allergic to certain medications or suffering from certain illnesses. Fears can lead to panic attacks and paranoia. As well, vaccine compulsion often leads to anxiety, depression and peritraumatic distress as individuals fear serious physical reactions and even death.

These fears need to be allayed and language becomes critical in this process, as any mental health practitioner would know. Thus, mental health issues have to be addressed as a prerequisite to these people becoming amenable to the vaccine. And until fears are allayed and mental health issues addressed, until hesitant people are assured that either they have absolutely nothing to fear or that their allergies and medical issues will be addressed in any vaccine regimen, vaccine mandates will only make matters worse.

An August 5 article on the CNN website stated:

“There's a well-documented phenomenon in psychology called the ‘backfire effect.’ Giving people facts disproving their incorrect beliefs can actually reinforce those beliefs. Researchers have observed this phenomenon in the context of political misconceptions, voting preferences, the decision to vaccinate one's children and whether to get a flu vaccine oneself. The more people are confronted with facts at odds with their opinions, the stronger they cling to those opinions.

“And if arguing with facts backfires, you know what backfires even more? Criticizing, blaming and shaming them for being thoughtless, selfish, stupid, ignorant or psychopathic. You can check this yourself: when was the last time you changed your behaviour in response to someone blaming or shaming you?”

Thus, instead of engaging in debates to nowhere that compound the animosity and disconnect, displaying empathy and curiosity would be the way to go. Walk in the shoes of those who refuse the vaccine, understand their perspectives then seek to create an environment that makes them feel safe and affirmed. Perhaps too it would be better for those who have taken the vaccine to share their reasons for doing so. For in that sharing other hitherto hesitant individuals may find connections and reasons for them to also then take the vaccine.

ANNAN BOODRAM

The Caribbean Voice