Pathology

Disease

Altruism (biology)

Population

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Pandemic

Herd immunity

Psychiatry

Political science

Psychology

Vaccination

Disinformation

Immunology

Health communication

Novelty

Empathy

Social media

Anxiety

Communication

Medicine

Social psychology

Environmental health

Health Communication

Long-term control of the COVID-19 pandemic hinges in part on the development and uptake of a preventive vaccine. In addition to a segment of population that refuses vaccines, the novelty of the disease and concerns over safety and efficacy of the vaccine have a sizable proportion of the U.S. indicating reluctance to getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Among various efforts to address vaccine hesitancy and foster vaccine confidence, evidence-based communication strategies are critical. There are opportunities to consider the role of emotion in communication efforts. In this commentary, we highlight several ways negative as well as positive emotions may be considered and leveraged. Examples include attending to negative emotions such as fear and anxiety, raising awareness of emotional manipulations by anti-vaccine disinformation efforts, and activating positive emotions such as altruism and hope as part of vaccine education endeavors.

Considering Emotion in COVID-19 Vaccine Communication: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy and Fostering Vaccine Confidence