A new survey shows that faith-based approach to hesitancy could convince more people to get the coronavirus vaccine.
Out of those who said they attend some type of religious service at least a few times a year, 44% who are hesitant about getting the coronavirus vaccine and 14% of those who said they were resistant to it said a faith-based approach could change their minds.
“We’re at a transition point where the scientific and technical expertise are finding their limits,” said Robert Jones, CEO and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute, which partnered with the Interfaith Youth Care for the study.
“To solve this problem, we’re going to need our best cultural resources,” Jones said. “We’re getting record numbers of shots and arms. But we’re also finding that many groups are lagging behind for very complex reasons.”
More than 5,600 hundred people took the survey online.
The faith-based approaches suggested in the survey included a religious leader getting the vaccine, religious forums on it and nearby congregations serving as clinics.
Among white evangelical Protestants who are vaccine hesitant, 47% who regularly attend services said faith-based approaches would make them more likely to get vaccinated, according to the survey.
About one-third of Black Protestants and Hispanic Americans who are coronavirus vaccine hesitant said one or more faith-based approaches would make them more likely to get vaccinated.
Of Republicans and 24% of rural Americans who are vaccine hesitant, the survey found that faith-based approaches would improve their likelihood of getting vaccinated.
Of those who are very worried about the safety of vaccines and are vaccine hesitant, 30% said that faith-based approaches would make them more likely to get vaccinated.
“America’s religious leaders and congregations can be a powerful tool for persuading a broad range of Americans to get vaccinated,” Jones said.
- Sign up for WTOP alerts
- Sign up for WTOP’s coronavirus email newsletter
- Latest coronavirus test results in DC, Maryland and Virginia
- Coronavirus vaccine FAQ: What you need to know
- Latest vaccination numbers in DC, Maryland and Virginia
- What to know about updated mask guidance in DC area
- Loudoun, Prince William counties offer vaccine self-scheduling — sometimes same day
Looking for more information? D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each releasing more data every day. Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C.
