Dataset Information

Assessing the impact of novelty and conformity on hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines using mRNA technology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Public hesitancy towards Covid-19 vaccines remains a major hurdle for mass vaccination programs today. While mRNA vaccines are more efficacious than conventional vaccines, it is unknown how much the novelty of this technology increases hesitancy.

Methods

We quantify this "novelty penalty" in a large online experiment with 35,173 adults in nine countries. Subjects were randomly selected and assigned to one of two vaccine groups (conventional or mRNA), and one of five hypothetical inoculation rate groups (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80%). Subjects reported their willingness to accept the Covid-19 vaccine on a five-point Likert scale.

Results

The novelty of the mRNA vaccine technology reduces the odds of a higher level of vaccine acceptance by 14.2% (odds ratio 0.858; p < 0.001). On the other hand, we find that social conformity reduces vaccine hesitancy. At a 0% inoculation rate, 31.7% report that they are "very likely" to get a mRNA vaccine while at a 20% inoculation rate, willingness jumps to 49.6%.

Conclusions

The novelty of the mRNA vaccine increases hesitancy, but social conformity reduces it. A small group of early adopters can provide momentum for vaccination.

SUBMITTER: Leong C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9156695 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Assessing the impact of novelty and conformity on hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines using mRNA technology.

Leong Ching C Jin Lawrence L Kim Dayoung D Kim Jeongbin J Teo Yik Ying YY Ho Teck-Hua TH

Communications medicine 20220531

<h4>Background</h4>Public hesitancy towards Covid-19 vaccines remains a major hurdle for mass vaccination programs today. While mRNA vaccines are more efficacious than conventional vaccines, it is unknown how much the novelty of this technology increases hesitancy.<h4>Methods</h4>We quantify this "novelty penalty" in a large online experiment with 35,173 adults in nine countries. Subjects were randomly selected and assigned to one of two vaccine groups (conventional or mRNA), and one of five hyp ...[more]

PMID: 35664455

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Project description:Vaccine hesitancy is a well-known phenomenon whereby individuals in a population reject or delay being vaccinated despite having access to vaccine services. This phenomenon is especially problematic in the current context of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) pandemic because vaccine hesitancy can decrease vaccination rates. In Mexico, vaccine hesitancy has been less thoroughly studied than in other countries such as the United States despite its importance and the potential impact of overlooking the problem. Understanding and effectively tackling this problem requires a more in-depth analysis of the defining characteristics of vaccination hesitancy. For this purpose, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants Matrix (VHDM in this study) is highly useful. In the present study, a digital survey was conducted using Google Forms to assess the level of vaccine hesitancy in the Mexican population and the vaccine determinants of the VHDM model associated with the respondents' different levels of vaccine hesitancy. The sample consisted of 1,195 people divided into four levels of vaccine hesitancy based on their answers. Tests for association were performed, identifying an association between some determinants of the VHDM model and the levels of vaccine hesitancy. Based on the analysis of the survey results, areas of opportunity for addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Mexico were found and discussed; these included the importance of studying vaccine hesitancy as a complex and changing gradient, the high connectivity of people with high level of vaccine hesitancy to networks of people with vaccine hesitancy, the relatively high trust in physicians at all levels of vaccine hesitancy, the low trust in government authorities at high and moderate levels of vaccine hesitancy, and the strong association of the fear of suffering side effects and knowing people who have suffered them with the level of vaccine hesitancy.

Project description:BackgroundIn Ghana, as of 30 July 2022, around one-third of the eligible population are considered fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, and efforts are being made to increase coverage. Vaccine hesitancy is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the delay in the acceptance, or blunt refusal of, vaccines. This study assesses vaccine hesitancy and confidence in Nkwanta South, a rural municipal in Oti region, Ghana.MethodsData collection within Nkwanta South took place in sub-municipalities of Alokpatsa (11,028 population), Brewaniase (14,483), and Tutukpene (15,453). Data was collected by 47 local residents, known as Community-Based Surveillance Volunteers (CBSVs), using Kobo Toolbox forms on electronic devices (tablets). Information collected included numerous demographic variables, including age, gender, relationship status, and religion. Further questions covered reasons for vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 vaccine status. Descriptive and inferential statistics assessed the association between variables to identify predictors of hesitancy.FindingsAcross 1500 respondents, 700 (46.7%) reported having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and 800 (53.3%) reported being unvaccinated against COVID-19. Among unvaccinated respondents, 556 (69.4%) reported willingness to receive the vaccine once available, 190 (23.7%) said they would not be willing to be vaccinated, and 55 (6.9%) said they were unsure. Overall, this represented 30.6% hesitancy within the currently-unvaccinated group. Common reasons for hesitancy included believing that they did not need the vaccine (33.8%), believing the vaccine to be dangerous (30.6%), concerns about side effects (25.3%), and not having enough information (20.1%). Key predictors of hesitancy among our participants included high levels of mistrust, being female, greater years of education, and being Christian.InterpretationThe information gathered here can inform how best to target national and local health promotion strategies. Locally-tailored efforts, that understand local context and social dynamics, must remain a core component of public health activity to achieve a high vaccine uptake.

Dataset Information

Assessing the impact of novelty and conformity on hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines using mRNA technology.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Assessing the impact of novelty and conformity on hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines using mRNA technology.

Similar Datasets

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