First COVID vaccine dose takes social pressure for many

Professor says social pressure helping to overcome hesitancy

WATERLOO REGION — More people are showing up at COVID-19 vaccination clinics who have put off their first dose, but now they’re finally ready.

“A lot of people are coming around to getting the vaccine,” said University of Waterloo professor and pharmacist Kelly Grindrod. “All of a sudden now there’s a reason for them to do it.”

Usually, it’s family or social pressure that is pushing people who were initially hesitant to get vaccinated. Maybe their whole family has been vaccinated and they can’t join gatherings unless they do too.

“They need social pressure.” Without it, some are hesitant — as many as a third of people, Grindrod estimated.

“There’s usually very valid reasons they don’t,” said Grindrod, who is pharmacy lead for Waterloo Region’s vaccine distribution task force.

“I don’t think it’s selfishness. I think it’s fear, discomfort, lack of trust,” she said. “They’re hoping others around them who are able to do it will protect them.”

Fear is often what holds people back, in particular needle phobia. Some older people haven’t gotten a vaccine in more than 50 years since childhood. Some were holding out for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was a single dose.

“It’s a real fear. It’s big,” Grindrod said.

That fear could go beyond getting a needle to being afraid of putting anything in their body, with some people even avoiding taking an over-the-counter medication like Tylenol.

Others fear the newer technology behind the development of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Grindrod encouraged anyone uncertain about the vaccine or worried about needles to tell the person at the clinic giving the shot.

“We can slow things down,” she said. “We can help you through it.”

This week, the region launched a new campaign to give first doses in five high-priority neighbourhoods. On “First Dose Friday” anyone 12 or older who lives, works or cares for someone in these areas could walk in for a vaccination at either of two Kitchener clinics.

The region is not yet seeing signs of vaccine hesitancy when it comes to second doses, said Waterloo Regional Police Deputy Chief Shirley Hilton, who is heading the region’s vaccine distribution task force.

“The demand for second doses currently is strong,” Hilton said during Friday’s regional briefing.

“Right now I can say there’s really no indication of hesitancy. In fact, I would say it’s the opposite.”

They’re seeing an incredible demand among people anxious to get a second dose, especially with the emergence of the Delta variant which needs two doses for the best protection.

That’s why there’s a final push on first doses, said associate medical officer of health, Dr. Julie Emili.

“Most people who wanted it were banging the doors down early, so we’ve got through that group,” Emili said. “Now we have to figure out how do we reach those ones that for a number of different reasons they haven’t banged down the door to get that dose.”

As more family doctors get the vaccine, that’s a good option for anyone who is anxious, Grindrod. Then they can get the shot in a place that is comfortable and familiar, from someone they know and trust.

“For a lot of people, that might be what they need to feel good about this,” Grindrod said.

Grindrod admitted she is herself afraid of needles, and when younger would have panic attacks.

“But I knew I had to do it, so I did.”

Even people who give vaccines don’t always like getting them, she said. “It’s normal.”