COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Research Articles

How Political Ideology and Media Shaped Vaccination Intention in the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

As a pharmaceutical intervention, vaccines remain a major public health strategy for mitigating the effects of COVID-19. Yet, vaccine intake has been affected by various cognitive and cultural factors. We examine how a selected set of factors (i.e., knowledge, concern, media, peer influence, and demographics) shaped COVID-19 vaccination intention in the early phase of the pandemic (Fall 2020). Using a survey conducted in three US states (Idaho, Texas, and Vermont) just prior to the rollout of the first vaccines against COVID-19, we find that COVID-19 concern was the primary driver of vaccination intention. Concern was shaped mainly by two factors: political ideology and media sources. Yet, ideology and media were much more important in affecting concern for those who leaned politically conservative, as opposed to those who leaned liberal or remained moderate. The results from our structural equation models affirm that the information politically conservative respondents were receiving reinforced the effects of their ideology, leading to a greater reduction in their concern. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for future pandemic preparedness.

Are vaccination uptake and non-uptake influenced by our emotions? An experimental study on the role of emotional processes and compassion

Objective This study examined the effects of emotional arousal, emotional competence, emotion regulation (ER), and compassion on COVID-19 and flu vaccination intentions (VI) among the French population. Design Data were collected online from October to December 2020. Altogether, 451 participants (Mage = 35.8, SD = 16.4) were allocated to four groups. High positive (n = 104) or negative (n = 103) emotional arousal were induced into two groups using pictures and music, and compared against a control group (flu group; n = 116) and a reference group (COVID-19 group; n = 114). All groups completed questionnaires on emotional arousal, ER, emotional competence, compassion, and VI. Results The findings indicated a significant effect of group on VI, h2 =.023, 95% CI [–.002, .09]. The Group*Gender interaction on emotional arousal was non-significant, η p 2 =.015, 95%CI [.000, .041]. However, emotional arousal was observed to have a significant main effect on VI, η p 2 =.09, 95% CI [.043, .238]. The ER type*Emotional arousal*Gender interaction on ER use was trend, η p 2 = .002, 95% CI [.000, .005]. The emotional competence*ER type interaction on ER use was significant, η p 2 = .028, 95% CI [.011, .049]. Only experiential avoidance mediated the relationship between emotional arousal and VI, p < .018, 95% CI [.015, .18]. Conclusion Emotional arousal impacts VI. High emotional competence only reduces the use of dysfunctional ER strategies.

Communication Strategies to Promote COVID-19 Vaccination Intention: How Effective are Source, Appeal, Framing, and Evidence Type Approaches?

ABSTRACT This systematic review analyzed the effectiveness of key persuasive strategies – source, appeal, framing, and evidence (SAFE) – on COVID-19 vaccination intention. Quantitative studies were searched in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed following the PRISMA guidelines. From the 61 studies that met inclusion criteria, source and framing are the most commonly applied SAFE strategies. However, source characteristics are a more consistent influence on vaccine intentions than message framing strategies, with expert sources and general practitioners emerging as the key sources contributing to greater vaccine intentions. In addition, a range of mediators and moderators influence the process through which SAFE message strategies impact vaccine intentions. Framing effects, in particular, are moderated by political identity, source characteristics, and vaccine perceptions. Tests of mediating processes highlight how health behavior judgments (e.g. perceived vaccine benefits, risks, trust in vaccination, perceived severity) and message response/perceptions (e.g. counterarguing, perceived similarity/empathy) operate as key intervening factors between SAFE message strategies and vaccine intentions. Overall, when practitioners apply various structural approaches (narrative elements, fear appeals, framing cues) to vaccine promotion campaigns, they should be cognizant of who is providing that appeal. Targeted populations may benefit most from different structural elements if they are integrated with sources that resonate with the audience.

Factors associated with vaccination intention and uptake over time in a sample of older Australians

This study sought to identify the behavioural and social drivers of vaccination in 16,745 older Australians. We analysed and compared influences on COVID-19 vaccination intention and uptake using prospectively collected survey data from the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study. Vaccination intention increased with older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:1.03; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.04; p = .002), a belief that the vaccine is important for the person’s own health (aOR: 5.17; 95 % CI: 4.23–6.24; p < .001), is safe (aOR:2.64; 95 % CI: 2.19–3.2; p < .001), and trusted by the person (aOR:6.79; 95 % CI: 5.59–8.26 p < .001); concern about contracting COVID-19 (aOR:1.78; 95 % CI: 1.47–2.17; p < .001); having enough information about COVID-19 vaccines (aOR:1.99; 95 % CI: 1.65–2.29; p < .001); a belief that most adults will receive a COVID-19 vaccine (aOR:2.31; 95 % CI: 1.93–2.77; p < .001); and a belief that family and friends wanted the person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (aOR:6.07; 95 % CI: 5.06–7.27; p < .001). The same factors contributed to increased vaccine uptake, with the exception of age and the belief that the person had enough information about the vaccine. Concern that the vaccine will cause a serious reaction was associated with both lower intention (aOR:0.35; 95 % CI: 0.29–0.43; p < .001) and lower uptake (aOR:0.61; 95 % CI: 0.46–0.81; p < .001) while lower intention was also associated with low decisional autonomy (aOR:0.37; 95 % CI: 0.22–0.62; p < .001). Intentions changed over time and a change towards vaccination was associated with perceptions of vaccine safety. Access barriers played a role in the non-vaccination of otherwise intending older Australians. Messaging that is adaptive to safety concerns, emphasises vaccine benefits, leverages social norms, and targets people who make decisions for older Australians may be helpful for influencing vaccination intentions and increasing vaccine uptake.

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccination intention in Central and Eastern Europe: A cross-sectional study in Poland, Romania, and Slovenia

BackgroundIdentifying predictors of vaccination intention is critical to developing appropriate programs and campaigns targeting groups reluctant to be vaccinated. This study aimed to identify the determinants of vaccination intention at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in three Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries: Poland, Romania, and Slovenia.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a sample of unvaccinated 1723 Poles, Romanians, and Slovenians completed an online survey (April 2021). Questions included measures of vaccination intention, attitudes towards vaccines, conspiracy mindset, preference for a type of vaccine, and trust in information sources.ResultsThe results showed that mistrust of vaccine benefits and concerns about commercial profiteering negatively predicted vaccination intention. Conversely, trust in information from medical professionals and scientists, official sources, and traditional media was positively related to vaccination intention, while trust in digital media was negatively related to vaccination intention. In addition, preference for mRNA vaccine type was a positive significant predictor of vaccination intention. The differences between countries are discussed.ConclusionsThe study results deliver suggestions for developing appropriate vaccine uptake programs and campaigns that should consider presenting the positive outcomes of vaccines via official sources and traditional media based on scientific evidence and medical professionals’ knowledge.

Reducing administrative burdens to increase the take-up of public services: the case of vaccination intentions

ABSTRACT The literature on administrative burdens has directed attention to why citizens struggle to engage with state services that would benefit them. In a paired conjoint experiment with Italian adults, COVID-19 vaccination intention is positively impacted by reducing administrative burdens, after controlling for vaccine’s efficacy and side effects: automatic enrolment of citizens through pre-scheduled appointments, offering a convenient location, less time required to get vaccinated and social norms whereby the majority is in favour of getting vaccinated. Reductions in burdens are especially relevant for adults over the age of 64 and those with neutral or high vaccination intention.

Predicting COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions to Inform Evidence-Based Messaging for Building Vaccine Confidence Among Rural Americans.

Examine possible message topics to promote rural vaccination using psychosocial antecedents of vaccination. Cross-sectional survey administered by Research America, Inc. West Virginia (WV). 756 WV adults via convenience sample (n = 370; ∼2% response rate from online panel of ∼20 000 WV residents), and random digit dial of landlines (n = 174; ∼1% response rate from 18 432 numbers) and cellphones (n = 212; ∼1% response rate from 20 486 numbers). Outcome measures included self-reported vaccination intention and behavior. Predictor measures, rooted in theories of social and behavioral science that have been found to be predictive of vaccination outcomes (i.e., Reasoned Action Approach, Extended Parallel Process Model), included perceived severity and susceptibility, negative affect, instrumental and affective attitudes, social norms, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and perceived control. Multivariate linear regression for intention and logistic regression for behavior. Intention was positively predicted by affective attitude, β = .30, P < .05, instrumental attitude, β = .19, P < .05, response efficacy, β = .19, P < .05, negative affect, β = .16, P < .05, self-efficacy, β = .13, P < .05, and subjective norm, β = .13, P < .05, F(10, 267) = 30.12, Adj. R2 = .53. Vaccination status was predicted by instrumental attitude, exp(B) = 2.09, and subjective norm, exp(B) = 2.00, Pseudo R2 = .29, log likelihood = 125.11, χ2(10) = 38.34, P < .05. Promising message targets were instrumental attitude, M = 3.21, SD = 1.46, and subjective norms, M = 3.76, SD = 1.71. COVID-19 vaccine confidence messages should address (1) positive feelings and safety perceptions, (2) vaccination's effectiveness in preventing serious COVID-19, and (3) subjective vaccination norms.

고등학생의 COVID-19 백신접종의향과 관련 불안이 COVID-19 예방행위 수행도에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the effect on the performance of COVID-19 prevention performance in high school students.&#x0D; Methods A descriptive research study was conducted on 395 high school students located in D city to confirm the effect on the performance of COVID-19 prevention performance. The collected data were analyzed by frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program.&#x0D; Results The average score of COVID-19 vaccination intention was 3.68±.81 points, the average score of COVID-19-related anxiety was 4.13±.56 points, and the average score of COVID-19 prevention behavior performance was 3.83±.57. In addition, COVID-19 vaccination intention and COVID-19-related anxiety were identified as factors affecting COVID-19 prevention behavior performance, and the total explanatory power was 29%.&#x0D; Conclusions This study presented results that significantly affected the performance of infectious disease prevention actions according to vaccination intention and anxiety. Accordingly, the government and health authorities suggest the importance of actively implementing strategies to increase trust in preventive vaccines and alleviate anxiety in order to prevent the spread of new infectious diseases in the future.&#x0D;

Digital health access, uptake, literacy and trust in people with experience of homelessness.

Although digital health promises improved healthcare efficiency and equity, access and uptake might be low indisadvantaged populations. We measured access todigital health technology, the uptake of digital health, digital health literacy and COVID-19 vaccination intentions in an inner-city Australian population experiencing homelessness. An existing Australian survey, including a validated digitalhealth literacy measure (eHealth Literacy Scale [eHEALS]), was modified and distributed in three general practices specifically targeting the homeless population. Data analysis used appropriate descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients. Eighty-three respondents completed the survey in 2021. Digital health uptake was much lower than in the general Australian population in 2019-20, despite good access to working smart phones and connectivity. Digital health literacy was positively associated with uptake. Internet-sourced information was trusted less than information from a general practitioner. Further work is needed to understand the perceived usefulness and sociocultural compatibility of digital health in different subpopulations experiencing homelessness, including susceptibility to misinformation.

Validating part of the social media infodemic listening conceptual framework using structural equation modelling

The literature has identified various factors that promote or hinder people's intentions towards COVID-19 vaccination, and structural equation modelling (SEM) is a common approach to validate these associations. We propose a conceptual framework called social media infodemic listening (SoMeIL) for public health behaviours. Hypothesizing parameters retrieved from social media platforms can be used to infer people's intentions towards vaccination behaviours. This study preliminarily validates several components of the SoMeIL conceptual framework using SEM and Twitter data and examines the feasibility of using Twitter data in SEM research. A total of 2420 English tweets in Toronto or Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, were collected from March 8 to June 30, 2021. Confirmatory factor analysis and SEM were applied to validate the SoMeIL conceptual framework in this cross-sectional study. The results showed that sentiment scores, the log-numbers of favourites and retweets of a tweet, and the log-numbers of a user's favourites, followers, and public lists had significant direct associations with COVID-19 vaccination intention. The sentiment score of a tweet had the strongest relationship, whereas a user's number of followers had the weakest relationship with the intention of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The findings preliminarily validate several components of the SoMeIL conceptual framework by testing associations between self-reported COVID-19 vaccination intention and sentiment scores and the log-numbers of a tweet's favourites and retweets as well as users' favourites, followers, and public lists. This study also demonstrates the feasibility of using Twitter data in SEM research. Importantly, this study preliminarily validates the use of these six components as online reaction behaviours in the SoMeIL framework to infer the self-reported COVID-19 vaccination intentions of Canadian Twitter users in two cities. This study was supported by the 2023-24 Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

How to Improve People's Intentions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has impaired the health and living conditions of millions of people. For governments to formulate policies promoting vaccination behavior, it is important to understand individuals' intentions to vaccinate. This study explores the effectiveness of a brief online intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) in improving individuals' COVID-19 vaccination intention, as well as considering the reasons for their unwillingness to get vaccinated. A total of 1,258 participants were assessed using a questionnaire to determine their phase of vaccination intention (pre-intention, intention, and action). Subsequently, focused on the underlying factors in the pre-intention phase (i.e., task self-efficacy, outcome expectation, and risk perception), a 7-day randomized controlled HAPA intervention (n intervention = 57, n control = 49) was conducted online for individuals who were not willing to get vaccinated. The measurement points included pre- (T1), post- (T2), and 30-day follow-up (T3). The intervention may effectively improve participants' COVID-19 vaccination intentions; however, it had no impact on their planning and actions involved in taking the vaccine. This study provides relevant reference data for government stakeholders to use in developing public awareness campaigns and policies to encourage COVID-19 vaccination.

Multilevel analysis of COVID-19 vaccination intention: the moderating role of economic and cultural country characteristics.

Predictors of COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccination have been extensively researched; however, the contextual factors contributing to understanding vaccination intention remain largely unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of economic development (Gross domestic product - GDP per capita), economic inequality (Gini index), the perceived corruption index and Hofstede's measurements of cultural values-index of individualism/collectivism and power distance index-in the relationship between determinants of satisfaction with the healthcare system, trust in political institutions, conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 vaccination intention. A multilevel modelling approach was employed on a sample of approximately 51000 individuals nested within 26 countries. Data were drawn from the European Social Survey Round 10. The model examined the effect of individual- and country-level predictors and their interaction on vaccination intention. Satisfaction with the healthcare system had a stronger positive effect on intention to get vaccinated in countries with lower perceived corruption and more individualistic countries. Trust in political institutions had a stronger positive effect on vaccination intention in countries with higher economic development and lower perceived corruption, while a negative effect of conspiracy beliefs on vaccination intention was stronger in countries with lower economic development, higher perceived corruption and a more collectivistic cultural orientation. Our findings highlight the importance of considering individual and contextual factors when addressing vaccination intention.

A study on the factors influencing the intention to receive booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine in China based on the information frame effect.

In the response to and prevention and control of the Novel coronavirus pneumonia, the COVID-19 vaccine does not provide lifelong immunity, and it is therefore important to increase the rate of booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine. In the field of information health science, research has found that information frames have an impact in changing individual attitudes and health behaviors. This study focuses on the effects of different influencing factors on the public's willingness to receive the booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine under two information frameworks. An online questionnaire was conducted to explore the effects of demographic characteristics, personal awareness, social relationships, risk disclosure, perceived booster vaccination protection rate, and duration of protection under the assumption of an information framework. T test and one-way analysis were used to testing the effect of variables. (1) The persuasion effect under the gain frame is higher than that under the loss frame (B = 0.863 vs. B = 0.746); (2) There was no significant difference in subjects' intention of booster vaccination in terms of gender, age, income, occupation, educational background and place of residence. Whether family members received booster vaccination was strongly correlated with their intention of vaccination under the loss framework (p = 0.017, M = 4.63, SD = 0.664). (3) The higher the understanding of COVID-19, the higher the degree of compliance with the government's COVID-19 prevention and control measures, and the higher the willingness to strengthen vaccination; (4) Risk disclosure has a significant impact on people's willingness to receive COVID-19 booster shots (M = 2.48, under the loss framework; M = 2.44, under the gain framework); (5) Vaccine protection rate and duration of protection have an impact on people's willingness to vaccinate. Increased willingness to vaccinate when the protection rate of booster vaccine approaches 90% (M = 4.76, under the loss framework; M = 4.68, under the gain framework). When the vaccine protection period is 2 years, people are more willing to receive a booster vaccine; and the willingness to receive a booster shot is stronger under the loss framework (M = 4.60, SD = 0.721, p = 0.879). The impact of the information framework on COVID-19 vaccination intentions is different, and the disclosure of relevant health information should focus on the impact of the information framework and content on the public's behavior toward strengthening vaccination. Therefore, in the face of public health emergencies, public health departments, healthcare institutions, and other sectors can consider adopting the Gainful Information Framework tool to disseminate health information to achieve better persuasion and promote public health behavior change enhancing public health awareness, and promoting universal vaccination.

Positive emotions co-experienced with strangers and acquaintances predict COVID-19 vaccination intentions through prosocial tendencies

BackgroundThe efficacy of vaccination depends on its widespread adoption, making vaccine uptake not just a personal health behavior but also a prosocial one. Previous research has shown that everyday moments of co-experienced positive emotions (positivity resonance) are associated with higher prosocial tendencies, and these moments, in turn, prospectively predict people's pandemic hygiene behaviors. Yet, limited research has explored how moments of positivity resonance may have predicted greater COVID-19 vaccine intentions during the early months of the pandemic. MethodsWe longitudinally surveyed a national U.S. sample across four weeks during the fall of 2020. We tested the hypothesis that positivity resonance with strangers and acquaintances indirectly predicts COVID-19 vaccine intentions, as statistically mediated by prosocial tendencies. We also aimed to replicate the indirect effects of positivity resonance on hygiene behaviors (such as mask wearing and hand washing), effects that have been demonstrated in previous research. ResultsIn a pre-registered structural equation model, we found that perceived positivity resonance experienced with strangers and acquaintances prospectively predicted prosocial tendencies, which in turn amplified people's COVID-19 vaccine intentions (β = 0.053) and hygiene behaviors – i.e., social distancing (β = 0.032), mask wearing (β = 0.027), hand washing (β = 0.049). ConclusionsUnderstanding the effects of high-quality social interactions with strangers and acquaintances on vaccine intentions and hygiene behaviors is critical, particularly given the likelihood of emerging pandemics and novel vaccines. We discuss theoretical and practical implications related to perceived positivity resonance, prosocial tendencies, and vaccination uptake for novel vaccines.

Understanding COVID-19 vaccination behaviors and intentions in Ghana: A Behavioral Insights (BI) study.

Vaccine uptake is influenced by a variety of factors. Behavioral Insights (BI) can be used to address vaccine hesitancy to understand the factors that influence the decision to take or refuse a vaccine. This two-part study consisted of a survey designed to identify the influence of various drivers of people's COVID-19 vaccination status and their intention to take the vaccine in Ghana, as well as an experiment to test which of several behaviorally informed message frames had the greatest effect on vaccine acceptance. Data was collected from a total of 1494 participants; 1089 respondents (73%) reported already being vaccinated and 405 respondents (27%) reported not being vaccinated yet. The mobile phone-based surveys were conducted between December 2021 and January 2022 using Random Digit Dialing (RDD) to recruit study participants. Data analysis included regression models, relative weights analyses, and ANOVAs. The findings indicated that vaccine uptake in Ghana is influenced more by social factors (what others think) than by practical factors such as ease of vaccination. Respondents' perceptions of their family's and religious leaders' attitudes towards the vaccine were among the most influential drivers. Unexpectedly, healthcare providers' positive attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine had a significant negative relationship with respondents' vaccination behavior. Vaccine intention was positively predicted by risk perception, ease of vaccination, and the degree to which respondents considered the vaccine effective. Perceptions of religious leaders' attitudes also significantly and positively predicted respondents' intention to get vaccinated. Although perceptions of religious leaders' views about the vaccine are an important driver of vaccine acceptance, results asking respondents to rank-order who influences them suggest that people may not be consciously aware-or do not want to admit-the degree to which they are affected by what religious leaders think. Message frames that included fear, altruism, social norms were all followed by positive responses toward the vaccine, as were messages with three distinct messengers: Ghana Health Services, a doctor, and religious leaders. What drives COVID-19 vaccine intentions does not necessarily drive behaviors. The results of this study can be used to develop appropriate COVID-19 vaccine uptake strategies targeting the most important drivers of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, using effective message frames.

The role of trust, vaccine information exposure, and Health Belief Model variables in COVID-19 vaccination intentions: Evidence from an HBCU sample.

African Americans have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines were initially met with hesitancy from the African American community. This study identified predictors of COVID-19 vaccination intentions among students attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) when COVID-19 vaccines first became available. Unvaccinated students (N = 224) completed a survey. Path analysis modeled relationships among exogenous variables (trust, exposure to pro- and anti-vaccine information), proposed mediators (Health Belief Model variables), and COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Students reported low trust in government officials, medical professionals, and the vaccine development process. Direct predictors of vaccination intentions included trust, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. Students with lower trust reported lower benefits, increased concerns about side effects, and were more likely to view COVID-19 vaccination as low priority, and these factors in turn predicted intentions. Findings highlight the urgent need for theory-driven, culturally sensitive, age-relevant messaging to reduce vaccine hesitancy among Black young adults.

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to determine COVID-19 vaccination intentions and behavior among international and domestic college students in the United States.

Vaccination is the most effective strategy for preventing infectious diseases such as COVID-19. College students are important targets for COVID-19 vaccines given this population's lower intentions to be vaccinated; however, limited research has focused on international college students' vaccination status. This study explored how psychosocial factors from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavioral intentions) related to students' receipt of the full course of COVID-19 vaccines and their plans to receive a booster. Students were recruited via Amazon mTurk and the Office of the Registrar at a U.S. state university. We used binary logistic regression to examine associations between students' psychosocial factors and full COVID-19 vaccination status. Hierarchical multiple regression was employed to evaluate relationships between these factors and students' intentions to receive a booster. The majority of students in our sample (81% of international students and 55% of domestic students) received the complete vaccination series. Attitudes were significantly associated with all students' full vaccination status, while perceived behavioral control was significantly associated with domestic students' status. Students' intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccines were significantly correlated with their intentions to receive a booster, with international students scoring higher on booster intentions. Among the combined college student population, attitudes, intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccines, and subjective norms were significantly related to students' intentions to receive a booster. Findings support the TPB's potential utility in evidence-based interventions to enhance college students' COVID-19 vaccination rates. Implications for stakeholders and future research directions are discussed.

Testing an extended theory of planned behaviour in predicting Covid-19 vaccination intention over the course of the pandemic: A three-wave repeated cross-sectional study

BackgroundMass vaccination against Covid-19 has been recognised as the most effective strategy for overcoming the pandemic emergency and remains crucial in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus. The present study aimed to test the efficacy of an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model in predicting vaccination intention in three different phases of the pandemic. Understanding how psychological drivers of vaccine acceptance may have changed throughout the pandemic is essential for informing public health strategies and addressing vaccine hesitancy, even in the current post-pandemic context. MethodsUsing a repeated cross-sectional survey, we tested the hypothesised extended TPB model (intention, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, anticipated affective reactions, risk perception, trust in science, trust in institutions and religiosity) across three independent samples: before (T1: November–December 2020; N = 657), during (T2: March–May 2021; N = 818), and after (T3: February–March 2022; N = 605) the start of the vaccination campaign in Italy. ResultsResults indicated significant differences between the time points in all investigated variables, pointing to a general trend of improvement in vaccine acceptability levels at T2 compared to T1, and a worsening at T3 compared to the other two time points. Interestingly, net of these differences, a multi-group Structural Equation Modeling analysis supported the invariance, across time, of the structural relationships examined within the extended TPB. ConclusionFindings demonstrated the efficacy of the TPB in predicting Covid-19 vaccination intention at different stages of the pandemic, suggesting that the model, in its extended version, represents a valuable framework for designing interventions aimed at promoting vaccine acceptance.

Covid-19 vaccination intentions and uptake pre- and post-vaccine availability: a cross-sectional comparison of theory of planned behavior, anticipated regret, and optimistic bias

Abstract Aim Vaccination hesitancy threatens herd immunity and reduces the chances of overcoming pandemics such as the recent Covid-19 pandemic. The present investigation looked at psychological predictors of Covid-19 vaccination intention and vaccination uptake. Subject and methods Two representative Norwegian samples (collected in 2020, N = 1003, and 2022, N = 1000) filled in online questionnaires assessing variables of the theory of planned behavior (attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control) as well as optimistic bias and anticipated regret. Results Results showed that these variables could explain 69% of the variance in vaccination intentions and 41% of the variance in vaccination uptake. Significant predictors in both samples include attitudes, social norms within the family, perceived behavioral capability, and higher anticipated regret for not getting vaccinated. Intentions were also predicted by lower anticipated regret for getting vaccinated, and vaccination uptake was additionally predicted by older age and lower perceived behavioral autonomy. Optimistic bias did not predict intentions to get vaccinated or vaccination uptake. Conclusion Interventions designed to increase vaccination uptake should focus on attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, anticipated regret, and possibly altruistic motivations.

COVID-19 vaccination intention and vaccine hesitancy among citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario

ObjectiveThe study objective is to measure the influence of psychological antecedents of vaccination on COVID-19 vaccine intention among citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).MethodsA population-based online survey was implemented by the MNO when COVID-19 vaccines were approved in Canada. Questions included vaccine intention, the short version of the “5C” psychological antecedents of vaccination scale (confidence, complacency, constraint, calculation, collective responsibility), and socio-demographics. Census sampling via the MNO Registry was used achieving a 39% response rate. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multinomial logistic regression models (adjusted for sociodemographic variables) were used to analyze the survey data.ResultsThe majority of MNO citizens (70.2%) planned to be vaccinated. As compared with vaccine-hesitant individuals, respondents with vaccine intention were more confident in the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, believed that COVID-19 is severe, were willing to protect others from getting COVID-19, and would research the vaccines (Confident OR = 19.4, 95% CI 15.5–24.2; Complacency OR = 6.21, 95% CI 5.38–7.18; Collective responsibility OR = 9.83, 95% CI 8.24–11.72; Calculation OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.28–1.59). Finally, respondents with vaccine intention were less likely to let everyday stress prevent them from getting COVID-19 vaccines (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.42–0.53) compared to vaccine-hesitant individuals.ConclusionThis research contributes to the knowledge base for Métis health and supported the MNO’s information sharing and educational activities during the COVID-19 vaccines rollout. Future research will examine the relationship between the 5Cs and actual uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among MNO citizens.