Transparent communication about negative features of COVID-19 vaccines decreases acceptance but increases trust

This interesting paper looked at the rate of compliance for COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the general population in order to better understand effective health communication. It found that… 

during a pandemic, governments face incentives to not disclose negative information about vaccines to not jeopardize public vaccine acceptance. Against these incentives, the current study provides an experimental, cross-national demonstration of the importance of transparency in communication about a vaccine against COVID-19. While disclosing negative information may increase hesitancy, transparency sustains trust in health authorities and hinders the spread of conspiracy beliefs. Accordingly, the current results provide a clear warning against succumbing to the short-term incentive of withholding information. Sustaining trust during the pandemic is critical for health authorities, both if repeated vaccinations are necessary and in preparation for future health emergencies. Among those who have already lost trust, health communication has little persuasive effect.

The paper demonstrates that transparent negative communication may indeed harm immediate vaccine uptake but a lack of transparency reduces trust in health authorities and facilitates the spread of conspiracy theories. The latter may limit long-term capabilities of health authorities during and after the pandemic.

TL;DR: Vaccine skepticism is best predicted by lack of trust. Trust is best built by transparent communication.