The flu season has brought more than 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths to date. Despite these figures, only 34% of adults have been vaccinated. Among those who are not vaccinated, 16% express concerns about vaccine safety and 13% state that they “never get sick.” This reluctance raises questions about public health decisions. Research from Cornell University, led by psychology professor Valerie Reyna, suggests that vaccination decisions are influenced more by intuition than by a rational analysis of risks and benefits. This study reveals that individuals often process information emotionally.

Key Findings

Perceptions of risks and benefits significantly affect vaccination intentions.

In a group of young adults, knowledge about the vaccine only explained 14% of vaccination intentions, compared to 58% when responses based on the key questions were considered.

Reyna advocates for a communication approach that incorporates principles from the key questions to reduce vaccine hesitancy.

According to the research, contextual data is fundamental to facilitating a more effective understanding of the risks and benefits of vaccination.

“We make decisions based on the gist of the information: What does all this information boil down to? What is the decision really about?” said Valerie Reyna, the Lois and Melvin Tukman Professor of Human Development in the Department of Psychology and the College of Human Ecology, as reported by Newsweek.

The professor suggests that it is vital to develop strategies that connect information to core values, such as the desire to protect family and community, rather than simply listing facts. This could significantly improve the vaccination rate in the country.

“If we know the gist of how someone feels about these ideas, “We can explain and predict their intentions regarding vaccination,” he explains.

Concerns about Vaccination

The main concerns about vaccine safety among unvaccinated people revolve around serious or unknown side effects, distrust of institutions, and fears about ingredients or rapid development. These concerns are based on global surveys and studies that identify consistent patterns.

The most frequently cited concern is about serious or unknown side effects, reported by nearly 40% of adults not vaccinated against COVID-19 in US surveys. Other fears include mild reactions, allergies, or long-term impacts, amplified by misinformation on social media.

In addition, institutional distrust is prevalent. Many people express a lack of confidence in governments, pharmaceutical companies, or rapid vaccine development processes, viewing them as motivated by hidden interests. This is associated with conspiracy theories and perceptions of underestimated risks.

They also fear that vaccines do not prevent infections or contain harmful ingredients such as adjuvants or preservatives. Studies highlight fears of infertility or toxicity, often based on myths rather than evidence.

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