New study shows vaccine hesitancy is due to lack of knowledge of vaccine benefits

A lack of knowledge around the benefits of a Covid-19 vaccine is linked to hesitancy, according to a new study by the ESRI.

It asked people about the effectiveness and side effects of the vaccine, and found those who were against or unsure about it knew substantially less than those who said they'd take one.

Lead research, Dr. Deirdre Robertson, says it suggests people who're hesitant may not know enough about the vaccine.

"There is a minority of people who don't follow news coverage on Covid-19 at all, and these people were less likely to take the vaccine.

"So there might be a minority group who are not aware of the vaccine, not aware of things around the development and the testing that's been carried out on it, who may be less likely to take it due to this gap in knowledge and lack of awareness of the benefits."

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