Vaccines and media don’t mix

If you are like me, the whole narrative of vaccination rates in your part of the country has run its course. I find it hard to care anymore.

A year ago, we were scrolling through maps to find out the positivity rate in certain counties. Are deaths going up? Are there enough hospital beds? Are there enough ventilators at your local hospital?

We have gone from those pressing questions to “Are people getting the vaccine fast enough?” See the difference?

Everybody and their cats and dogs understand that vaccination is the best way to combat COVID-19 at the moment. Constantly talking about vaccination rates in the news though is not going to get people to get a shot who were originally uneasy about a drug being injected into their body. I see the same car insurance commercials everyday and each time I see them it makes me block out those insurance companies even more. The same is probably happening right now for those who have not been vaccinated. The concept has been to get as much information about COVID-19 and the three vaccines to the people as possible. After months of public service announcements, media stories, and word of mouth anecdotes there is just too much information.

Some states are giving away lottery prizes to those who have been vaccinated. When it reaches that point it is time to take a step back.

The strategy for health departments and local governments now should be listening to those who are not vaccinated and adjusting to their feedback. Make it so that the conversation is not so one-sided. When you are being bombarded about messages to get the vaccine constantly it will cause those who are opposed to getting it to dig in even more.

I got the vaccine but I did not get it because of peer pressure or because a celebrity told me to. Ultimately, it is a decision one has to make on their own. No amount of media coverage is going to change that.

I look forward to the day where vaccine rates are not a story. Today is a good day to start.