Analyzing Attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccine in the Context of the Health Industry: The Role of Country of Origin Image

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate individuals’ attitude towards the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, and explain vaccination intention in the framework of the theory of reasoned action. The study extends the theory of reasoned action with country of origin image variable. Material and Methods: The data of the study were collected by survey method. The survey consists of a total of 48 items, including individual innovativeness, subjective norms, attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine, intention to get COVID-19 vaccine, country of origin image, demographic characteristics, and general opinions about the vaccine and COVID-19. 333 participants answered the surveys. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling using SPSS v.21 and AMOS v.23 package programs. Results: Attitude towards German COVID-19 vaccine (β=0.888, p<0.001) and German’s country of origin (β=0.436, p<0.001) variables have significant and positive relationships with intention to get German vaccine. Subjective norms (β=0.750, p<0.001), China’s country of image (β=0.265, p<0.001), attitude towards Chinese COVID-19 vaccine (β=0.198, p<0.001), variables have significant and positive relationships with intention to get Chinese COVID-19 vaccine. Country of origin image is significantly and positively related to both attitude towards German COVID-19 vaccine (β=0.690, p<0.001) and Chinese COVID-19 vaccine (β=0.461, p<0.001). Conclusion: The most important factor associated with the intention to get German COVID-19 vaccine is the attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. The most important factor associated with the intention to get Chinese COVID-19 vaccine is the subjective norm. Country of origin image is a significant variable for both countries.