“Fear of needles was one of the barriers that was a significant predictor of people saying, ‘I don’t think I will get this vaccine,’” said Jeanine Guidry, an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who researches visual communication and conducted a survey of 500 people in July.
And it’s not just TV news using what could be sensitive video footage.
Disinformation spread on social media often incorporates images of giant syringes, Guidry recently told the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to federal health officials. Social media has been a source of much incorrect information about vaccines in general, and Covid-19 specifically, designed to dissuade people from getting shots.
Such “fear visuals,” Guidry said, “get more attention,” and may be remembered longer than other types of illustrations.
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