“My Country First”: Vaccine Nationalism in England?

Abstract

This article asks what the main factors are that influence the expression of Vaccine Nationalism among the population of England. The analysis is based on data collected in 2021 as part of the project entitled World Problem, National Solutions. A set of logistic regressions test to what extent (1) personal experiences of the pandemic and respondents’ vulnerability, (2) perceived threat from other nations, (3) political identities and attachment to nationalist ideology, and (4) pride in national achievement at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic affect a sample of adult respondents in England to express a form of Vaccine Nationalism. The results show that Vaccine Nationalism is not affected by personal experiences or nationalist ideology. The main impact on Vaccine Nationalism among the population comes from their political orientation and pride in national achievement during the pandemic.