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The social and socio-political embeddedness of COVID-19 vaccination decision-making: A five-country qualitative interview study from Europe

2023; Elsevier BV; Volume: 41; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.02.012

1873-2518

Bettina Zimmermann, Katharina T. Paul, Emília Rodrigues Araújo, Alena Buyx, Sebastian Ferstl, Amelia Fiske, David Kraus, Luca Marelli, Stuart McLennan, Vittoria Porta, Barbara Prainsack, Isabella M. Radhuber, Gertrude Saxinger,

Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment

The uptake ofCOVID-19 vaccines has varied considerably across European countries. This study investigates people's decision-making process regarding vaccination by analyzing qualitative interviews (n = 214) with residents from five European countries: Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland. We identify three factors that shape vaccination decision-making: individual experiences and pre-existing attitudes towards vaccination, social environment, and socio-political context. Based on this analysis, we present a typology of decision-making regarding COVID-19 vaccines, where some types present stable stances towards vaccines and others change over time. Trust in government and relevant stakeholders, broader social factors, and people's direct social environment were particularly relevant to these dynamics. We conclude that vaccination campaigns should be considered long-term projects (also outside of pandemics) in need of regular adjustment, communication and fine-tuning to ensure public trust. This is particularly pertinent for booster vaccinations, such as COVID-19 or influenza.