In a recent CNN poll about 44% of Republicans reported that they were not planning on getting a coronavirus, compared to a much smaller portion of Democrats. This trend is in keeping with what many other polls have found, with a Pew Research poll in late March finding that 83% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans plan on getting a Coronavirus Vaccination. What is particularly concerning is the 27 point gap in support for the coronavirus vaccinations between the two parties. Prior to the coronavirus, the anti-vaccination movement was not nearly as political as it was prior to the coronavirus.
The anti-vaccination movement was not predominantly partisan, and instead had a large crossover with the alternative medicine movement. The alternative medicine is skeptical of pharmaceuticals, doctors, and the mainstream healthcare system. Part of the reason for this is that the healthcare system is harsh, impersonal, and expensive. The relationship between the doctor and the patient has been devalued as treatment got more specialized and the healthcare system became more efficient and industrialized. On the other hand, alternative medicine emphasizes the relationship between the practitioner and the patient, has well lit waiting rooms, relaxing and low stress environments, and makes the patient feel cared for as a person. Alternative medicine also offers promises of spiritual growth and a single treatment that will solve all of your problems. I have some experience in this area myself, as my mom believes in alternative medicine herself, and has sent me to different alternative treatments in many cases. Thankfully she is a good mother and did not see it as a replacement for my regular doctor, and used it as a means of treating the whole person that she feels gets neglected by the medical system. What appeals to many like my mother is that alternative medicine makes her feel cared for, valued, safe and secure. The treatments that they prescribe are digestible and understandable to her. She generally feels that things that are natural are good and it is always better to use something natural when it is an option. My mom also was not and has never been anti-vaccine, but she legitimately was concerned regarding there effects when I was young.
During the coronavirus, a large political divide arose regarding wether the coronavirus was real, wether or not it had high death rates, wether or not masks were effective, and wether or not the vaccines can be trusted. The politicization of the coronavirus, no matter the cause, has become a major factor in why many Republicans who receive a flu shot and generally trust their doctors have expressed that they will not be getting vaccinated. The mismanagement and the politicization of of medical experts such as Dr. Fauci, the controversy over mask wearing, the spread of misinformation regarding the virus, and the controversy regarding lockdown measures have all contributed to creating an environment in which many previously pro-vaccine Republicans are skeptical of coronavirus vaccinations.
Frank Luntz, a long time Republican strategist who is probably the most important name in understanding effective effective Republican messaging conducted a series of focus groups in order to try and determine how to persuade Republicans to receive the coronavirus vaccine. He invited a variety of different speakers such as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Chris Christi, and a doctors who are politically conservative. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's calls that the vaccine was part of one's civic duty and represented a great political victory for Republicans that they should applaud were not effective. Instead, Chris Christi's personal stories about the coronavirus in his family struck deeply with many of the focus group members. Most important was the medical professionals who were explicitly non-partisan, mentioning that 95% of physicians plan to get the coronavirus vaccine. Members were asked who they most trusted regarding the coronavirus vaccine, with the list including the WHO, the CDC, Anthony Fauci, Donald Trump, and their own doctor. The panelists overwhelmingly said they would listen to their own doctor. While medicine will always be political, and it is impossible to separate the coronavirus response from politics, the focus groups clearly demonstrate that the messaging on vaccinations has to change for the good of the country. Instead of emphasizing what the CDC says, or what Anthony Fauci says, or what nationally recognized health experts, or even prominent Republicans say regarding the coronavirus vaccination, messaging needs to center around the medical professionals in people's personal lives who they trust. If the goal is for people to vaccinate as many people as possible, listen to, understand, and empathize with those who are skeptical, and try not to encourage vaccinations by debating politics. Instead, encourage people to have a conversation with their own doctor who they trust and respect.\
Link to the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDW8c0cVd20&t=3s
Link to the focus group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFVlLQduBF8&t=7s
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