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April 13, 2021
Authors
David W. Johnson
Topics
COVID-19 Outcomes
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4-Minute 4sight 4sight Radio & TV Dispatches

Anti-Vaxxer Minds

President Nixon and Elvis Presley in the Oval Office on December 21, 1970 

Photo: Ollie Atkins via National Archives

Elvis makes everything better. Even Nixon.

Biden’s relentless vaccine rollout continues unabated. Some states even have surplus appointments. That’s great news. As vaccines move from scarcity to abundance, states can administer dosages to all comers. That’s when we’ll discover the true number of anti-vaxxers in America.

Anthony Fauci estimates that between 70% and 90% of Americans will need vaccinations to achieve national herd immunity. That’s a big target, particularly if we need to hit the upper threshold to repel new, highly contagious virus strains. Even at the lower threshold, numerous anti-vaxxers will need shots to tame COVID-19.

The anti-vaxxer population is not a monolith. Many, perhaps most, have legitimate concerns. We need to be patient and compassionate with these hesitant but persuadable individuals. We need to earn their trust and nudge them slowly toward vaccination centers.

Another more sinister group is politicizing vaccinations. This includes half of Republican House members and several Republican Senators. In a recent column, LA Times columnist Doyle McManus calls these political anti-vaxxers “selfish epidemiological moochers” and “free riders.” He’s right. These unpatriotic, self-serving individuals increase health risks even as they benefit from increasing COVID-19 immunity. 

Getting these nuanced anti-vaxxers sentiments into coherent song lyrics is challenging. Fortunately, Suspicious Minds gives us catchy lyrics to parody:

We can’t recover together 

With suspicious minds

We can’t rebuild our country

With suspicious minds

So kick back and listen to our Troubadour John Zam channel his inner-Elvis as he performs “Anti-Vaxxer Minds.”

Listen to other 4sight Health songs here

Read all dispatches from Dave Johnson here.

About the Author

David W. Johnson

David Johnson is the CEO of 4sight Health, an advisory company working at the intersection of healthcare strategy, economics, innovation. Johnson is a healthcare thought leader, keynote speaker, and strategic advisor to organizations busting the status-quo to reform our healthcare system. He is the author of Market vs. Medicine: America’s Epic Fight for Better, Affordable Healthcare, and his second book, The Customer Revolution in Healthcare: Delivering Kinder, Smarter, Affordable Care for All (McGraw-Hill 2019). As a speaker, Dave plays the role of rebel, challenger, industry historian, investor and company evaluator to push audiences forward. (Watch bio video.) Johnson applies his 25+ years of investment banking in healthcare to identify ways the healthcare industry must change to deliver better care. He received a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, an English degree from Colgate University, and served in the African Peace Corp service. Join over 10k+ healthcare executives who read our weekly insights and commentary on www.4sighthealth.com. His third book, Less Healthcare, More Health: The Prescription for a Happier, More Equitable and Productive America, will publish in 2024.

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