Barriers of Communication Preventing People from Getting Vaccinated

This report provides insights of organisational communication and general theories of organisational communication. This assessment also determines barriers of communication preventing people from getting vaccinated. Recommendations are suggested for government authorities to overcome from these barriers and encouraging people for getting vaccinated.

Business Communication

Abstract Summary
This report provides insights of organisational communication and general theories of
organisational communication. This assessment also determines barriers of communication
preventing people from getting vaccinated. Recommendations are suggested for government
authorities to overcome from these barriers and encouraging people for getting vaccinated.

Table of Contents
Abstract Summary...........................................................................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
General theories of organisational communication................................................................3
Barriers of communication preventing people getting the vaccine........................................4
Outline government strategies to overcome these barriers.....................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Communication is defined as sharing of information or message between two or more people
through verbal as well as non-verbal means. Communication barriers are factors that interfere
and affect the completion of this process of expressing and understanding of information and
message. These barriers are needed to be eliminated in order to accomplish efficient and
effective communication. This assessment will provide knowledge and insights of theories of
organisational communication (Holbeche, 2018). Communication barriers preventing people
from getting vaccinated are determined. Furthermore, recommendations are provided for
overcoming through these barriers.

MAIN BODY
General theories of organisational communication
Communication is the process of sharing information or message from one person to another
through various means. This process is necessity for people in order to communicate with each
other. It is comprised of sender of the message at one end and receiver of message on another
end. Messages transferred in this process include ideas, thoughts, opinions, feelings, etc.
Communication process is carried out over various means such as verbal, written, non-verbal,
visual communication, etc. Participation of two or more people is involved in order to complete
this process (Fenwick, 2021). General theories of communication are as follows:
 Theory of Bureaucracy: Bureaucratic theory of communication has been given by Max
Weber. This theory defines the systematic structure of an organisation with appropriate
rules and regulation to be maintained for betterment of communication process. It
considers 6 factors of bureaucracy which are;
o Simple and clear hierarchy that determines clarity in reporting relationship
decision making power in the operations.
o Division of work with practical approach to suitable and most compatible
employee in the working environment.
o Formal approach with official rules and regulations applied in carrying out the
operations.
o Impersonal relationships are determined in a systematic manner.
 General System Theory: General systems determines that organisations are similar to
machines as a system of whole working together for completion of tasks. It provides
connection of human communication with operations carried out and functioning of the
organisation. This theory suggests that communication is required focus upon the entire
system rather than considering just one or few aspects . Effective and efficient
communication in the overall system will result in improving productivity in operations
as well as employee's development. Organisations considering communication with
system approach results in developing a healthy and positive working environment with
eliminating conflicts and promoting efficiency (Cadeddu, and et. al., 2020).

 Theory of Authority: This theory determines the relation and interconnectedness of
communication with delegation of power and authority within an organisation. Effective
delegation of authority provides clarity in reporting relationship and decision-making
power of an employee. This promotes communication for problems faced by employees
and resolving these problems in order to facilitate smooth flow of operations.
Inappropriate delegation of authority and power will lead to conflicts and barriers in
completion of company's operations. Therefore, suitable and convenient delegation of
authority will facilitate in better coordination and promotes formal communication
among employees in a workplace.
 Practical approach to corporate culture: This theory focuses upon the organisational
culture developed in a working environment. It proposes the use of practical and
functional approaches to communication in developing a corporate culture. Initiatives
with practical and functional approach to culture will promote formal structure in the
organisation and will indirectly result in increasing productivity. This theory also
determines ideal employee behaviour to be adapted by manpower working in that
working environment. Major aspects with cultural perspectives are taken into
consideration in this theory (Covello, 2020).
 Human relations theory of communication- Human relations theorists believe that an
important aspect of need satisfaction is communication among employees, so interaction
that flows horizontally among employees is just as important as downward
communication in the accomplishment of organizational goals. It is essential for the
organisation to implement this theory with keen supervision and control in order to lead
the competition and develop focused communication.
Barriers of communication preventing people getting the vaccine.
Vaccination for Covid-19 is facing a challenge of people not willing to get vaccinated.
Communication barriers being the major reason behind this negative influencing of people which
prevent them from getting vaccinated. Inefficient communication sometimes leads to
misinterpretation and misunderstanding of information to be transferred or shared (Cataldi, and
et. al., 2020). The communication barriers preventing people from getting vaccinated are:
 Physical barriers: Physical barriers to this issue are mainly arising due to lack of
information regarding the venues and procedures of vaccination. People lack in

knowledge of proper location and process to book vaccination slots for getting
vaccinated. Some identified locations of vaccination camps are away from their residence
and result in being a barrier of vaccination of Covid-19. This lack of information is due to
communication gap among people in society with government authorities.
 Emotional barriers: Negative influencing is the major reason of emotional barriers
preventing people from getting vaccinated. With the spread of various fake news and
negative publicity of Covid-19 vaccine, people are afraid of getting the dose of vaccine.
For instance, this fake and false news for vaccine is that it is comparatively untested and
causing sickness among those who are getting vaccinated. Moreover, it is one of the
major negative aspects of communication which has been applied in this case.
 Behavioural barriers: Behavioural approach to vaccination is being a negative aspect of
communication in this case. People with rigid behaviour are not willing to accept changes
and finding it riskier getting vaccine due to their belief. In addition to that, these people
believe that getting vaccine dose would increase chances of getting infected by the
Covid-19 virus (Billon-Denis and Tournier, 2020). Rigid behaviour results in improper
understanding of information or message conveyed from the other end and results in
inefficient communication.
 Information barriers: Information barriers include lack of information upon various
aspects such as vaccine trials, its after effects, proper vaccination procedure, etc. These
barriers are also supported by negative publicity spread in the society. For instance, lack
of information with fake and false news has resulted in negative influence of vaccination
in society. Improper information prevents completion of efficient communication process
and lead to negative outputs.
 Cultural barriers: Language and cultural differences in society is considered as the
major cultural barrier preventing people from getting vaccinated. Information regarding
vaccination of Covid-19 has been provided in English language which became barrier for
people not understanding English language. Negative influencing is another aspect of
cultural barriers as people are anxious about vaccination.
 Traditional barriers- The key traditions and barriers related to communication should
be analysed by the organisation in a precise manner. The traditional barriers are

considered as barriers related to traditions and culture of the society. In order to deal with
key barriers, it is essential to understand society in depth and their approach.
Outline government strategies to overcome these barriers.
 Engage in clear communication: Government authorities need to consider clarity in
providing information regarding vaccination for Covid-19. Lack of information is a major
cause preventing people from getting vaccinated. For instance, authorities can overcome
this barrier with initiating additional efforts in providing information to general public.
These efforts could develop belief of people with government authorities and also results
in more number of people getting vaccinated voluntarily (Billon-Denis, and Tournier,
2020). Furthermore, sufficient amount of information could attract more people in getting
vaccinated and promotes vaccination. Therefore, people will also develop confidence in
dealing with pandemic situations with appropriate information and knowledge.
 Transparency: Transparency is meant by fair and true information provided to people
regarding the vaccine and vaccination. Negative and false news has raised objections and
several questions against vaccination which could be eliminated by sufficient amount of
information with transparency. People in society have right to information without hiding
any aspect or element related to the information. Therefore, transparency in information
provided will enhance trust of people with government authorities and will result in more
number of people getting vaccinated. Government authorities could carry out vaccination
activities more effectively and efficiently in order to protect people from getting infected
by Covid-19 virus.
 Public/Social influencers as messengers: These social influencers are individuals
practising social activities in engaging with people and having vast contacts. Belief of
many people lies with these individuals in some or the other way. Information and
knowledge spread by these social influencers will be trusted easily and efficiently as
people trust them. Government authorities could circulate information with considering
these representatives as medium of conveying the message to the general public. This
effort will lead in developing trust among people with vaccination as well as government
authorities (Fabris, 2018). Moreover, this will result in motivating people for getting
vaccinated in an indirect manner and also preventing negative influencing of people with
fake and false news.

 Eliminating sources of negative influencing: People with false information and
negative beliefs are the major sources of these barriers in vaccination process. Spread of
fake news and negative influencing is needed to be eliminated to promote motivation
among people and dealing with the pandemic situation. Government authorities need to
take corrective measures in order to deal with these sources of negative influencing
among society. This initiative will prevent people from getting affected by false and fake
news stopping them from getting vaccinated (Verčič and Špoljarić, 2020 ). Moreover,
prevention and elimination of these sources will promote positive environment and will
improve trust of people with government’s initiatives in dealing with the pandemic
situation.
 Appropriate advertising with transparent information: Promoting and advertising
vaccination process with appropriate information and knowledge will provide clarity in
understanding the sole purpose of vaccination process. For instance, these additional
efforts would promote positivity in society and will allow government to encourage
people to get vaccinated and protect themselves form Covid-19 virus. Therefore, this will
lead to motivate people for getting vaccinated and preventing spread of Covid-19 virus.
 Elimination of communication barriers- The elimination of various barriers for the
communication is essential for increasing the chances of communication development. It
is major role of government to develop a special investigation team to deal with key
consequences and challenges related to communication. In order to eliminate key barriers
related to communication, it is essential for the government to take help of strategic and
planning framework.

CONCLUSION
From the above assessment it could be concluded that there are various communication
barriers which prevent people from getting vaccinated. The report determines various general
theories applied in an organisational communication. Furthermore, recommendations are
provided for government such as clarity in communication, transparency, elimination of negative
influencing, etc. These recommendations are provided in order to overcome these barriers and
facilitate smooth flow of vaccination procedure.

References
Books and Journals
Holbeche, L .S., 2018. Organisational effectiveness and agility. Journal of Organizational
Effectiveness: People and Performance.
Fenwick, J., 2021. Structure and Culture. In Organisational Behaviour in the Public Sector: A
Critical Introduction. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Cadeddu, and et. al., 2020. Beliefs towards vaccination and trust in the scientific community in
Italy. Vaccine, 38(42), pp.6609-6617.
Cataldi, and et. al., 2020. Use of standing orders for vaccination among
pediatricians. Pediatrics, 145(5).
Billon-Denis, E. and Tournier, J. N., 2020. COVID-19 and vaccination: a global
disruption. Medecine Sciences: M/S, 36(11), pp.1034-1037.
Fabris, A., 2018. Ethics of information and communication technologies. Springer.
Verčič, A. T. and Špoljarić, A., 2020. Managing internal communication: How the choice of
channels affects internal communication satisfaction. Public relations review, 46(3), p.101926.
Covello, V. T., 2020. Strategies for overcoming challenges to effective risk communication.
In Handbook of risk and crisis communication (pp. 143-167). Routledge.