Fear of the unknown, false information behind vaccine hesitancy: Pharmacists

Thousands of COVID-19 vaccines are being administered nearly every day in Saskatchewan.

But according to provincial numbers, more than half of those eligible for their first vaccinations in the 12-to-29 age group have not yet received one.

In the 30-to-39 age group, 44 per cent don’t have their first jab, 33 per cent of 40- to 49-year-olds haven’t had a first dose, and 27 per cent of those ages 50 to 59 haven’t had one.

Pharmacists 650 CKOM spoke with in three different areas of the province said while they’re extremely busy every day, people wanting to get their second vaccinations are far outpacing those who are interested in getting their first shots.

“For the last little while, we have definitely seen an uptake; people are very motivated, especially to get their second shots,” Beauval pharmacist Andrew Kelley said. “People just kind of want to complete the deal, so we’ve had steady bookings coming.”

Kelley said he does see some hesitancy in his community, with people who are “still on the fence.” In his experience, it’s because some have difficulty understanding how the COVID-19 vaccine could have been developed, produced and distributed so quickly over the last year.

“And then social media and all those things play a big role in people’s perception,” Kelley said. “So lots of the folks who are hesitant, they pretty much don’t know if they trust what is in the vaccine.

“My role as a pharmacist, I try to assure them that Health Canada and all the organizations have really tried to meet this pandemic with all the tools that they have. I’m sure it’s something that is definitely safe and you tell them you yourself have got the vaccine as a pharmacist, so there’s not much to worry about.”

He said there’s still some work left to do for him and public health to get more first vaccine uptake in his community.

In the Weyburn area, pharmacist Krista Missal said the last few weeks have been a whirlwind with those between the ages of 12 and 18 getting their first vaccinations. Since the beginning of May, her pharmacy has administered nearly 900 vaccines and is now concentrating on second doses as well.

She said there are those who haven’t had their first jab yet, but at least some of that can be explained by local circumstances and timing.

“We’ve seen a little bit of hesitancy. There’s various reasons — maybe farmers have been in their fields and didn’t manage to get their vaccines when they were eligible …,” Missal said. “Some were just waiting for everybody else to get it and (to) see how it’s going.

“Enough people have had it now that I think people are feeling more confident to come and get it.”

And in the Davidson area, pharmacist Julie Nykiforuk said in her experience, some residents are simply nervous.

“I think probably just the fear of the unknown is the reason,” she added. “We just reassure them the vaccines are safe and that we’re getting really good results from them, and that getting COVID is so much worse than having the vaccine or any side effects you get from the vaccine.

“Also, the risk of passing COVID on to people who are really vulnerable is a huge benefit to having the vaccine yourself.”

All three pharmacists say they haven’t had a lull in vaccination appointments and, in fact, are hoping the supply of vaccines remains steady so they can fulfil all of their upcoming bookings.

“The only deterrent now would be vaccine shortages,” confirmed Kelley.