S6, Ep 1- Vaccine Hesitancy & Access: What Our Latest Survey Reveals

S6, Ep 1- Vaccine Hesitancy & Access: What Our Latest Survey Reveals

In this season premiere of Healthcare Matters, our hosts are joined by Seth Ginsberg, President and Co-Founder of the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF), to discuss the critical role of vaccines in public health and the persistent challenges of misinformation, access barriers, and vaccine hesitancy. They also delve into the concerning findings from GHLF’s latest vaccine quick poll, which reveals that over 11 percent of respondents do not plan to get vaccinated during the 2024-2025 respiratory season. The conversation highlights the urgent need for education, advocacy, and policy reform to rebuild public trust and ensure equitable vaccine access.

Tune in to learn more about the survey results and discover how health care providers, policymakers, and organizations like GHLF can collaborate to drive meaningful change.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:48: Dr. Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, explains why vaccines are considered the most cost-effective health care intervention, citing historical examples such as the eradication of smallpox and the economic benefits of high immunization rates

04:37: Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF, comments on the results of GHLF’s latest survey, highlighting that 11% of chronic disease patients surveyed do not plan to get vaccinated this respiratory season

06:45: Dr. Popovian breaks down key barriers preventing access, including out-of-pocket costs, logistical and geographic barriers, especially in underserved communities, and policy restrictions preventing pharmacists from administering vaccines in certain states

08:32: Seth Ginsberg, President and co-founder of GHLF, explains why advocacy is crucial in addressing vaccine hesitancy, especially among chronic disease patients. He highlights that 89% of survey respondents trust health care providers for vaccine information — showing that physicians and pharmacists play a key role in combating misinformation

10:37: Seth recommends listeners to listen to the recent second season of GHLF’s Informed Immunity podcast series, designed to provide credible, relatable, and engaging vaccine education

13:30: Dr. Popovian references new CDC data on increasing COVID-19, RSV, and flu hospitalizations and warns that the situation will worsen without increased vaccination rates

14:20: Seth raises the issue of growing distrust in pharmaceutical companies, which contributes to vaccine hesitancy

15:05: Dr. Popovian debunks two major myths:

Myth #1: "If I get vaccinated, I’ll never get sick." Vaccines don’t prevent all infections but significantly reduce severity, hospitalizations, and deaths

Myth #2: "Natural immunity is better than vaccines." Natural immunity may be as effective as vaccine-induced immunity, but it comes with far greater risks — especially for vulnerable populations

16:57: Seth introduces the 50-State Network’s Advocating for Vaccines training, an essential new tool to help patients effectively share their personal story and advocate for policies that improve vaccine access. For more information about the program, visit: https://ghlf.org/vaccine-training-page/

19:01: Dr. Popovian expresses concern over how Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine stance could worsen vaccine hesitancy

21:51: Seth emphasizes the need for collaboration between health care providers, patient advocacy groups, policymakers, and manufacturers to improve vaccine uptake

22:30: Dr. Popovian adds that health care professionals must take responsibility by educating patients, having real conversations, and addressing con