Predictors of Vaccine Hesitancy: Implications for COVID-19 Public Health Messaging

Amanda Hudson and William J. Montelpare
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Amanda Hudson: Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Health PEI, Charlottetown, PE C1C 1M3, Canada
William J. Montelpare: Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Objectives: Successful immunization programs require strategic communication to increase confidence among individuals who are vaccine-hesitant. This paper reviews research on determinants of vaccine hesitancy with the objective of informing public health responses to COVID-19. Method: A literature review was conducted using a broad search strategy. Articles were included if they were published in English and relevant to the topic of demographic and individual factors associated with vaccine hesitancy. Results and Discussion: Demographic determinants of vaccine hesitancy that emerged in the literature review were age, income, educational attainment, health literacy, rurality, and parental status. Individual difference factors included mistrust in authority, disgust sensitivity, and risk aversion. Conclusion: Meeting target immunization rates will require robust public health campaigns that speak to individuals who are vaccine-hesitant in their attitudes and behaviours. Based on the assortment of demographic and individual difference factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy, public health communications must pursue a range of strategies to increase public confidence in available COVID-19 vaccines.

Keywords: vaccine hesitancy; individual differences; public health; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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