COVID-19 Vaccination Intent and Belief that Vaccination Will End the Pandemic |
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| Authors: | Marion de Vries Liesbeth Claassen Mattijs Lambooij Ka Yin Leung Kees Boersma Aura Timen |
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| Affiliation: | National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands (M. de Vries, L. Claassen, M. Lambooij, K.Y. Leung, A. Timen);Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (K. Boersma, A. Timen) |
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| Abstract: | High vaccination coverage is considered to be key in dealing with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy can limit uptake. We examined the specific coronavirus beliefs that persons have regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines and to what extent these beliefs explain COVID-19 vaccination intentions. We conducted a survey among 4,033 residents of the Netherlands that examined COVID-19 vaccination intentions and various beliefs. Random forest regression analysis explained 76% of the variance in vaccination intentions. The strongest determinant in the model was the belief the COVID-19 crisis will only end if many persons get vaccinated. Other strong determinants were beliefs about safety of vaccines, specifically in relation to vaccine development and approval process; (social) benefits of vaccination; social norms regarding vaccination behavior; and effectiveness of vaccines. We propose to address these specific beliefs in communications about COVID-19 vaccinations to stimulate vaccine uptake. |
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| Keywords: | COVID-19 coronavirus disease vaccination vaccination intent perception beliefs behavior understanding respiratory infections pandemic zoonoses the Netherlands |
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