Vaccine acceptance is defined as providing a vaccination strategy that meets people where they are, increases education about COVID-19 and vaccines, and avoids repeating false claims through trustworthy communication channels (Berg, 2021).

The challenge of vaccine hesitancy is:

• characterized by the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccine services,
• complex and context varies across time, place and vaccines, and
• influenced by factors such as complacency, convenience and confidence (MacDonald, 2015).

Vaccine acceptance means people trust in the effectiveness and safety of vaccines and the health care system delivering them (WHO, 2013). Vaccine hesitancy, or refusal, increases the risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19. This could lead to a prolonged and more dangerous pandemic, with frequent spikes in cases and virus mutations. Medical experts suggest between 70-90% of the population needs to be vaccinated before we can reach herd immunity in the United States (Krans, 2021).

A recent poll by the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation in March 2021 found that 13% of respondents overall said they would "definitely not" be vaccinated. A further 7% of respondents said they would be vaccinated "only if required", and 17% responded that they will "wait and see", highlighting that work remains to build confidence in COVID-19 vaccination.

Do you have an idea or existing Promising Practice in your facility that builds COVID-19 vaccine confidence in our Veterans, employees, or caregivers? Whether you are a new or returning innovator, we encourage all employees to submit their ideas and promising practices. Do not miss your chance for this open call and submit your idea or successfully implemented practice here by May 31, 2021 to build COVID-19 vaccine confidence and save more Veteran lives.

If you have any questions, please email Marketplace@va.gov.