Abstract
ABSTRACT Mandatory vaccination mightseem like a straightforward solution for reaching a sufficient vaccine coverage during a pandemic. However, the effectiveness of mandatory vaccination is undermined if the public does not perceive such a compulsory policy as acceptable. We report a population-based survey experiment (n = 1,131), conducted in Finland, that addresses the effects that different ways of framing a mandatory vaccination program have on three outcome variables: (1) the perceived acceptability of the program, (2) the willingness to take the vaccine voluntarily, and (3) the preparedness to refuse the mandatory vaccine. In the 2 × 3 factorial experiment, the respondents were presented with one of three justification alternatives that stressed the benefits of the program for either the economy, health, or basic rights. The justification was accompanied with one of two thresholds for herd immunity (70 or 90 percent). We found that the justification and the threshold for herd immunity interact when it comes to the acceptability of the program and the willingness to take the vaccine voluntarily. Importantly, justifications drawing on health were ineffective at the lower threshold level but very effective when the threshold was high. The preparedness to refuse a mandatory vaccine was low and reacted weakly with the experimental treatments.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.