There are about 41 million white evangelical adults in the U.S., and about 45 percent said that they wouldn't get vaccinated, making them among the least likely demographic groups to do so, according to a late February survey by the Pew Research Center.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy or refusal among white evangelicals stems from a "complex web of moral, medical and political objections," reports The New York Times, and the significant size of the community may challenge the nation's ability to recover from the pandemic.
The combination of several factors can contribute to vaccine hesitancy for white evangelical Americans: deeply held religious beliefs, including those pertaining to abortion; a long-standing wariness of mainstream science; cultural distrust of institutions; and availability of online conspiracy theories, reports the Times.
A main concern among evangelicals is the vaccine's link to abortion. Some COVID-19 vaccines were developed and tested using cells derived from the fetal tissue of elective abortions occurring decades ago, reports the Times. The vaccines don't include fetal tissue, and no additional abortions are needed to manufacture the doses. Still, the small connection has escalated online, evolving into false rumors about human remains or fetal DNA being vaccine ingredients.
Many high-profile pastors and institutional leaders have endorsed the vaccines, but other leaders, particularly those who have gained stature via social media, have exacerbated fears.
The method to boost vaccine confidence among white evangelicals is similar to that of other groups, said Julie Morita, MD, the executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a former Chicago public health commissioner. She recommends listening to their concerns and questions, and then providing information that they can understand from people they trust.