Study Highlights Persistent Mistrust in COVID-19 Vaccine Science and Its Implications

Public mistrust in the science behind COVID-19 vaccines has remained stubbornly high over the past three years, according to a new study by researchers from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). Despite extensive vaccination campaigns and public health efforts, nearly one-third of U.S. respondents consistently expressed mistrust in vaccine science between 2021 and 2023.

Persistent Levels of Mistrust

The study, published in Vaccine: X, analyzed survey data collected over three consecutive years. Researchers found that the proportion of respondents skeptical of COVID-19 vaccine science remained steady: 36.1% in 2021, 32.8% in 2022, and 36.2% in 2023. Notably, individuals who lost a close family member or friend to COVID-19 were significantly more likely to trust vaccine science and accept vaccination. Those with recent bereavement were nearly four times more likely to express trust compared to individuals without such experiences.

Demographic factors also played a role in trust levels. Trust was higher among men, individuals with university degrees, and those with incomes above the median. Additionally, trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a reliable information source correlated strongly with both vaccine acceptance and willingness to receive future boosters.

Implications for Public Health Strategy

The findings highlight the importance of trust in vaccine science as a driver of vaccine acceptance during public health emergencies. “Our findings underscore the critical role of trust in science during public health crises,” said lead author Trenton M. White, ISGlobal Postdoctoral Fellow. The study also emphasized the need for emotionally attuned public health messaging, particularly given the impact of personal loss on trust levels.

For public health agencies, the results provide a clear directive: fostering trust through effective communication is essential to improving vaccine uptake. Researchers urged public health officials to strengthen communication efforts, particularly from trusted sources like the CDC, and to tailor outreach to address the socio-economic and educational diversity of the U.S. population.

CUNY SPH Dean Ayman El-Mohandes, the study’s senior author, noted that these findings are valuable for guiding policymakers as they continue to address global vaccine hesitancy. By considering the emotional and demographic factors that shape trust, public health leaders can better design strategies to enhance acceptance of science-based health interventions.

This research highlights the enduring challenge of mistrust in health science and offers actionable insights for future public health initiatives, as vaccine campaigns remain critical to controlling infectious diseases worldwide.