WILLEMSTAD - The number of vaccinations per day seems to lag behind the promised 7,000 to 9,000 vaccinations per day. In the past week, an average of just 1,800 people were vaccinated per day. According to medical leader of the vaccination program Jerry Semper, the lagging figures can be explained by a model according to Rogers' Innovation Theory.
Last Monday, 55,971 people had received their first vaccination, yesterday it was 68,153 people. In a week, 12,501 people were vaccinated, an average of 1,785 people per day.
The difference between the promised number of vaccinations per day and the actual number can be explained, according to Semper. "According to Rogers' Innovation Theory, we have entered the phase of the 'late majority'", says the doctor.
The theory tells something about the spread of a new product or idea within a group. Rogers distinguishes five stages, in which five different groups are distinguished that accept the product or new idea.
Semper explains the theory. The 'innovators' want to be the first to have the vaccine. The 'early adopters' are also looking for new things and are characterized by a strong growth in sales of the product. The 'early majority' is the first large group to want the vaccine and reached its maturity stage there.
Semper indicates that Curaçao is in the 'late majority' phase. The vast majority of the population is familiar with the vaccine, but vaccination will also slowly decline at this stage. "The people in this group are looking for a reason not to vaccinate. If you then insist, they won't go," said Semper.
The laggards remain behind, and they show a further decrease in vaccination. According to Semper, seven to eight percent will not be reached and will therefore not be vaccinated.