Prof Pete Lunn: Vaccine hesitancy is not a black and white issue

Creating a ‘them-and-us’ story is unlikely to persuade the hesitant minority, it is more important is to understand why they refused in the first place, writes Professor Pete Lunn

Many in the majority can become understandably angry with the minority who refuse to get vaccinated. Picture: Denis Minihane

Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme has been highly successful in persuading people to take a vaccine. This is not an opinion, but a claim backed by data.

The Social Activity Measure (SAM) is a fortnightly study undertaken by the Behavioural Research Unit at the ESRI for the Department for the Taoiseach. Throughout 2021, this measure recorded willingness to take a Covid-19 vaccine, how many doses people have taken it, and satisfaction with the rollout programme.