With vaccine hesitancy rates still prominent across multiple states, public health and government officials alike have been strategizing on the best way to encourage positive sentiment towards the COVID-19 vaccine.
Recent Census data reveals that a plurality of people are reticent to get vaccinated due to a fear of side effects. An average of 15.6 percent of American adults report being hesitant about receiving one of the approved vaccines.
Francis Collins, Director of the National Institute of Health (NIH), went on NBC News to assure people that there is “no comparison” between potential risks versus the benefits of being vaccinated against COVID-19.
“If you’re not vaccinated, you're missing out on that chance to lift that blanket of fear that’s been there, even if you don’t think COVID-19 is that big of a deal,” he said.
This interview follows the recent ruling of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) giving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine the green light to continue being used following reports of blood clots in women.
Collins stresses that this “rare event” only occurred in eight recipients out of nearly 7 million people having received vaccinations. He supports the ACIP’s decision to readminister the vaccine provided patients are given a fact sheet detailing potential side effects.
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