Online misinformation is linked to early COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and refusal.

ABSTRACT: Widespread uptake of vaccines is necessary to achieve herd immunity. However, uptake rates have varied across U.S. states during the first six months of the COVID-19 vaccination program. Misbeliefs may play an important role in vaccine hesitancy, and there is a need to understand relationships between misinformation, beliefs, behaviors, and health outcomes. Here we investigate the extent to which COVID-19 vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy are associated with levels of online misinformation about vaccines. We also look for evidence of directionality from online misinformation to vaccine hesitancy. We find a negative relationship between misinformation and vaccination uptake rates. Online misinformation is also correlated with vaccine hesitancy rates taken from survey data. Association

SUBMITTER: Pierri F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9043199 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature