Mind the Vaccine Fatigue

BackgroundOmicron scares and speculations are gaining momentum. Amid the nonstop debates and discussions about COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccine fatigue phenomenon may become more prevalent. However, to date, no research has systematically examined factors that shape people's vaccine fatigue. To bridge the research gap, this study aims to investigate the antecedents that cause or catalyze people's vaccine fatigue. MethodsA narrative literature review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO to identify factors that shape people's vaccine fatigue. The search was completed on December 6, 2021, with a focus on scholarly literature published in English. ResultsA total of 37 articles were reviewed and analyzed. Vaccine fatigue was most frequently discussed in the context of infectious diseases in general at the pre-vaccination stage. Vaccine fatigue has been identified in the general public, the parents, and the doctors. Overall, a wide range of antecedents to vaccine fatigue has been identified, ranging from the frequency of immunization demands, vaccine side effects, misconceptions about the severity of the diseases and the need for vaccination, to lack of trust in the government and the media. ConclusionVaccine fatigue is people's inertia or inaction towards vaccine information or instruction due to perceived burden and burnout. Our study found that while some contributors to vaccine fatigue are rooted in limitations of vaccine sciences and therefore can hardly be avoided, effective and empathetic vaccine communications hold great promise in eliminating preventable vaccine fatigue across sectors in society.

Automated summary

This study conducted a narrative literature review to investigate the factors that shape people's vaccine fatigue. A total of 37 articles were reviewed and analyzed, and a wide range of antecedents to vaccine fatigue were identified, including the frequency of immunization demands, vaccine side effects, misconceptions about disease severity and vaccination, and lack of trust in the government and media. Vaccine fatigue is people's inertia or inaction towards vaccine information or instruction due to perceived burden and burnout. The study suggests that effective and empathetic vaccine communications hold great promise in eliminating preventable vaccine fatigue.