1
|
Zimmermann BM, Paul KT, Janny A, Butt Z. Between information campaign and controversy: a quantitative newspaper content analysis about COVID-19 vaccination in Switzerland and Austria. Scand J Public Health 2024; 52:253-261. [PMID: 37646484 DOI: 10.1177/14034948231195388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Because media portrayal reflects and shapes public opinion and health policy, investigating news coverage of public health issues is highly relevant for public health research and practice. Addressing a topical issue, this study investigated how newspaper coverage framed COVID-19 vaccines in Austria and German-speaking Switzerland and how it developed over time. METHODS A quantitative newspaper content analysis of six newspapers from Austria and German-speaking Switzerland published between January 1 and 31, 2022 was conducted. Frames were identified for each country separately through hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward's method) based on frame elements. RESULTS Four frames were identified in both countries: (1) Evaluating new vaccines, (2) Discussing mandates, (3) Promoting vaccination, (4) Mentioning vaccines. In Frames 1 (Switzerland 86.4%, Austria 93.3%) and 3 (Switzerland 92.7%, Austria 98.9%), most articles included vaccine-endorsing statements, with Swiss coverage including additional negative statements more often than Austrian coverage (43.2%/44.6% vs 4.0%/3.3%). Frame 2 was closely linked to vaccine skepticism only in Austria and contained more evaluative statements in Austrian newspapers (25.4% endorsing, 35.4% rejecting; in Switzerland 14.5%/18.1%). The Austrian tabloid Kronen Zeitung published most articles (497/1091, 45.6%). CONCLUSIONS The commercialized and comparatively high share of tabloid news coverage in Austria may have contributed to oversimplified and polarizing COVID-19 vaccine debates in this context. Insufficiently balanced and adequate information may contribute to a loss of public trust in vaccination and may therefore affect vaccination uptake. Authorities and public health professionals should consider this effect when designing information campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina M Zimmermann
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Social Sciences, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
- Institute of Philosophy and Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina T Paul
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform Governance of Digital Practices (DigiGov), University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Janny
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Zarah Butt
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Marini M, Demichelis A, Menicagli D, Mancini G, Panizza F, Bilancini E, Cevolani G. I want to be safe: understanding the main drivers behind vaccination choice throughout the pandemic. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1111. [PMID: 38649925 PMCID: PMC11036553 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18511-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite being a major advancement in modern medicine, vaccines face widespread hesitancy and refusal, posing challenges to immunization campaigns. The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated vaccine hesitancy, emphasizing the pivotal role of beliefs in efficacy and safety on vaccine acceptance rates. This study explores the influence of efficacy and safety perceptions on vaccine uptake in Italy during the pandemic. METHODS We administered a 70-item questionnaire to a representative sample of 600 Italian speakers. Participants were tasked with assessing the perceived effectiveness and safety of each vaccine dose, along with providing reasons influencing their vaccination choices. Additionally, we conducted an experimental manipulation, exploring the effects of four framing messages that emphasized safety and/or efficacy on participants' willingness to receive a hypothetical fourth vaccine dose. Furthermore, participants were asked about their level of trust in the scientific community and public authorities, as well as their use of different information channels for obtaining COVID-19-related information. RESULTS Our study reveals a dynamic shift in vaccine efficacy and safety perceptions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially influencing vaccination compliance. Initially perceived as more effective than safe, this assessment reversed by the time of the third dose. Beliefs regarding safety, rather than efficacy, played a significant role in anticipating future vaccinations (e.g., the booster dose). Safety-focused messages positively affected vaccination intent, while efficacy-focused messages showed limited impact. We also observed a changing trend in reasons for vaccination, with a decline in infection-related reasons and an increase in social related ones. Furthermore, trust dynamics evolved differently for public authorities and the scientific community. CONCLUSIONS Vaccine perception is a dynamic process shaped by evolving factors like efficacy and safety perceptions, trust levels, and individual motivations. Our study sheds light on the complex dynamics that underlie the perception of vaccine safety and efficacy, and their impact on willingness to vaccinate. We discuss these results in light of bounded rationality, loss aversion and classic utility theory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Marini
- IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schönweitz FB, Zimmermann BM, Hangel N, Fiske A, McLennan S, Sierawska A, Buyx A. Solidarity and reciprocity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal qualitative interview study from Germany. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:23. [PMID: 38166737 PMCID: PMC10763370 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17521-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While solidarity practices were important in mitigating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, their limits became evident as the pandemic progressed. Taking a longitudinal approach, this study analyses German residents' changing perceptions of solidarity practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and examines potential reasons for these changes. METHODS Adults living in Germany were interviewed in April 2020 (n = 46), October 2020 (n = 43) and October 2021 (n = 40) as part of the SolPan Research Commons, a large-scale, international, qualitative, longitudinal study uniquely situated in a major global public health crisis. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS While solidarity practices were prominently discussed and positively evaluated in April 2020, this initial enthusiasm waned in October 2020 and October 2021. Yet, participants still perceived solidarity as important for managing the pandemic and called for institutionalized forms of solidarity in October 2020 and October 2021. Reasons for these changing perceptions of solidarity included (i) increasing personal and societal costs to act in solidarity, (ii) COVID-19 policies hindering solidarity practices, and (iii) a perceived lack of reciprocity as participants felt that solidarity practices from the state were not matching their individual efforts. CONCLUSIONS Maintaining solidarity contributes to maximizing public health during a pandemic. Institutionalized forms of solidarity to support those most in need contribute to perceived reciprocity among individuals, which might increase their motivation to act in solidarity. Thus, rather than calling for individual solidarity during times of crisis, authorities should consider implementing sustaining solidarity-based social support systems that go beyond immediate crisis management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska B Schönweitz
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina M Zimmermann
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Institute of Philosophy and Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Nora Hangel
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Leibniz Center for Science and Society (LCSS), Leibniz University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amelia Fiske
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stuart McLennan
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Sierawska
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute for History of Medicine, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alena Buyx
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Silva S, Machado H, Galasso I, Zimmermann BM, Botrugno C. Narratives about distributed health literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health (London) 2023:13634593231215715. [PMID: 38095184 DOI: 10.1177/13634593231215715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The promotion of health literacy was a key public health strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the role of social networks and relationships for support with health literacy-related tasks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is scarcely understood. Moving beyond traditional notions of health literacy, which focus on individual skills and knowledge, this study uses the concept of distributed health literacy to explore how individuals make meaning of and respond to health literacy and make their literacy skills available to others through their relational and socially situated and lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on 89 semi-structured interviews conducted in three European countries (Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland) between October and December 2021, we found narratives of stabilization, hybridization, and disruption that show how health literacy concerning COVID-19 is a complex social construct intertwined with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses distributed among individuals, communities, and institutions within socioeconomic and political contexts that affect their existence. This paper opens new empirical directions to understand the critical engagement of individuals and communities toward health information aimed at making sense of a complex and prolonged situation of uncertainty in a pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Silva
- Institute for Social Sciences, University of Minho, Portugal
- Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA-UMinho/IN2PAST), Portugal
| | - Helena Machado
- Institute for Social Sciences, University of Minho, Portugal
| | - Ilaria Galasso
- University College Dublin, Ireland
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina M Zimmermann
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Germany
- Institute of Philosophy & Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Botrugno
- Research Unit on Everyday Bioethics and Ethics of Science, Department of Legal Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Młoźniak I, Zwierczyk U, Rzepecka E, Kobryn M, Wilk M, Duplaga M. Manifestation of Health Denialism in Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination: A Qualitative Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1822. [PMID: 38140226 PMCID: PMC10747861 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Science denialism is characterized by the refusal to accept existing consensus and available evidence. Typical strategies denialists employ include spreading conspiracies, selective use of information, relying on fake experts, or general fallacies in logic. A flood of misinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, it was a subject of many denialistic opinions, from denying the existence of the epidemic challenge to claims that questioned the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. This study's main aim was to assess the manifestations of denialism in attitudes toward the preventive measures recommended during the pandemic, with a special focus on vaccination. In-depth interviews were conducted with fifty representatives of the general population, demonstrating diversified opinions about COVID-19 vaccines and other preventive behaviors. The interviews were performed face to face in participants' houses or at other places they identified as convenient. Some of the interviewees preferred to do the interview via teleconference. The interviews were carried out from November 2022 to March 2023. The interviewees were recruited initially by convenience, and in further stages, the snowball technique was used. The interviewees were residents of four main administrative districts in Poland. Out of 50 participants, 26 were males, 29 were between 18-40, 16 were inhabitants of rural areas, and 28 had a university level of education. The interviews were based on a semi-structured guide that addressed, in addition to views about the origin of the new coronavirus, respondents' attitudes toward vaccination and sanitary recommendation, the health status of interviewees, their use of healthcare services, and their health behaviors. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2022 software (Release 22.7.0). Thematic analysis (TA) was applied to the content generated from the interviews. Based on the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, the participants were divided into three groups: unvaccinated, hesitant, and vaccinated (18, 4, and 28 interviewees, respectively). The main themes were established based on the TA of the interviews: attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination, perception of sources of information, and the origin of the new coronavirus. The first theme decidedly drew the greatest attention of the interviewees. There was also a clear relationship between vaccination status and the presence of denialist thinking among interviewees. Interestingly, the role of experts as a key source of information about the pandemic was underlined by study participants. However, the criteria for being an expert differed. The subject of the origin of a new coronavirus was not interesting to interviewees. The analysis of the adherence to preventive measures revealed an interplay of diversified attitudes and motivations. Individuals presenting denialist views most frequently abstained from COVID-19 vaccination. However, such views were also present among those who hesitated or even among those who had been vaccinated. Furthermore, denialism was only one of the determinants of adherence to preventive measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Młoźniak
- Department of Health Promotion and e-Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (I.M.); (U.Z.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Urszula Zwierczyk
- Department of Health Promotion and e-Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (I.M.); (U.Z.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Elżbieta Rzepecka
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Studies, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Mateusz Kobryn
- Department of Health Promotion and e-Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (I.M.); (U.Z.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Marta Wilk
- Department of Health Promotion and e-Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (I.M.); (U.Z.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Mariusz Duplaga
- Department of Health Promotion and e-Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (I.M.); (U.Z.); (M.K.); (M.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Caserotti M, Girardi P, Sellaro R, Rubaltelli E, Tasso A, Lotto L, Gavaruzzi T. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? The interplay between pro- and against- vaccination reasons. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2207. [PMID: 37946143 PMCID: PMC10634164 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17112-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND By mid 2023, European countries reached 75% of vaccine coverage for COVID-19 and although vaccination rates are quite high, many people are still hesitant. A plethora of studies have investigated factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, however, insufficient attention has been paid to the reasons why people get vaccinated against COVID-19. Our work aims to investigate the role of reasons in the decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in a representative sample of 1,689 adult Italians (March-April 2021) balanced in terms of age, gender, educational level and area of residence. METHODS Through an online questionnaire, we asked participants to freely report up to three reasons for and against COVID-19 vaccination, and the weight each had in the decision to get vaccinated. We first investigated the role of emotional competence and COVID-19 risk perception in the generation of both reasons using regression models. Next, we studied the role that the different reasons had in the vaccination decision, considering both the intention to vaccinate (using a beta regression model) and the decision made by the participants who already had the opportunity to get vaccinated (using a logistic regression model). Finally, two different classification tree analyses were carried out to characterize profiles with a low or high willingness to get vaccinated or with a low or high probability to accept/book the vaccine. RESULTS High emotional competence positively influences the generation of both reasons (ORs > 1.5), whereas high risk perception increases the generation of positive reasons (ORs > 1.4) while decreasing reasons against vaccination (OR = 0.64). As pro-reasons increase, vaccination acceptance increases, while the opposite happens as against-reasons increase (all p < 0.001). One strong reason in favor of vaccines is enough to unbalance the decision toward acceptance of vaccination, even when reasons against it are also present (p < 0.001). Protection and absence of distrust are the reasons that mostly drive willingness to be vaccinated and acceptance of an offered vaccine. CONCLUSIONS Knowing the reasons that drive people's decision about such an important choice can suggest new communication insights to reduce possible negative reactions toward vaccination and people's hesitancy. Results are discussed considering results of other national and international studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Caserotti
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Paolo Girardi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venezia, Venice, Italy
| | - Roberta Sellaro
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Enrico Rubaltelli
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Lorella Lotto
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Teresa Gavaruzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Roshchina Y, Rozhkova K, Roshchin S. Between nudges and mandates: The drivers of COVID-19 vaccination intentions and subsequent uptake in Russia. Vaccine 2023:S0264-410X(23)00756-9. [PMID: 37419852 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Despite high levels of morbidity and mortality, as well as the widespread availability of domestic vaccines, Russia demonstrated significantly low rates of vaccination throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This research explores vaccination intentions before the start of the immunisation campaign and the consequent uptake in Russia after the introduction of mandatory vaccination policy in certain industries and proof-of-immunisation for social activities. Using a nationally representative panel dataset, we analyse factors behind individual vaccination decisions using binary and multinomial logistic regressions. Special attention is given to the effect of employment in industries with vaccine mandates and personal factors which determine individual "nudgeability" to vaccination (e.g., personality traits, beliefs, vaccine alertness, self-perceived vaccine availability etc.). Our results show that 49 per cent of the population received at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine by autumn 2021 after the introduction of mandatory vaccination. Vaccination intentions before the rollout of the nationwide immunisation campaign are correlated with the consequent attitudes and uptake, although the prediction is not perfect. 40 percent of vaccine refusers eventually got vaccinated, while 16 percent of vaccine supporters turned into refusers, revealing the lack of promotion of vaccine safety and effectiveness. To a large extent, vaccination refusal and hesitance are explained by vaccine alertness. Vaccine mandates significantly increased the uptake in several affected industries, especially education. These results offer important insights for designing information policy, relevant for future vaccination campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yana Roshchina
- Center for Longitudinal Studies and Laboratory for Studies in Economic Sociology, Department of Sociology, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Myasnitskaya street, Moscow 101000, Russian Federation.
| | - Ksenia Rozhkova
- Laboratory for Labor Market Studies, Faculty of Economic Sciences, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Pokrovsky Boulevard, Moscow 109028, Russian Federation.
| | - Sergey Roshchin
- Laboratory for Labor Market Studies, Faculty of Economic Sciences, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 11 Pokrovsky Boulevard, Moscow 109028, Russian Federation.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Radhuber IM, Haddad C, Kieslich K, Paul KT, Prainsack B, El-Sayed S, Schlogl L, Spahl W, Weiss E. Citizenship in times of crisis: biosocial state-citizen relations during COVID-19 in Austria. Biosocieties 2023:1-26. [PMID: 37359140 PMCID: PMC10201040 DOI: 10.1057/s41292-023-00304-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Drawing upon 152 in-depth qualitative interviews with residents in Austria carried out in the first year of the pandemic, this article discusses how people's experiences with COVID-19 policies reflect and reshape state-citizen relations. Coinciding with a significant government crisis, the first year of COVID-19 in Austria saw pandemic measures justified with reference to a biological, often medical understanding of health that framed disease prevention in terms of transmission reduction, often with reference to metrics such as hospitalisation rates, etc. Instead of using this biomedical frame, our interviewees, however, drew attention to biopsychosocial dimensions of the crisis and problematised the entanglements between economy and health. We call this the emergence of a biosocial notion of citizenship that is attentive to psychological, social and economic dimensions of health. Insights into the biosocial nature of pandemic citizenship open a window of opportunity for addressing long-standing social injustices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella M. Radhuber
- Austrian Science Fund, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Haddad
- Department of Science and Technology Studies, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Global Health Policy, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Katharina T. Paul
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Seliem El-Sayed
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Schlogl
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wanda Spahl
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elias Weiss
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Stamm TA, Partheymüller J, Mosor E, Ritschl V, Kritzinger S, Alunno A, Eberl JM. Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine fatigue. Nat Med 2023; 29:1164-1171. [PMID: 36973410 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02282-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
There is growing concern that Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine fatigue will be a major obstacle in maintaining immunity in the general population. In this study, we assessed vaccine acceptance in future scenarios in two conjoint experiments, investigating determinants such as new vaccines, communication, costs/incentives and legal rules. The experiments were embedded in an online survey (n = 6,357 participants) conducted in two European countries (Austria and Italy). Our results suggest that vaccination campaigns should be tailored to subgroups based on their vaccination status. Among the unvaccinated, campaign messages conveying community spirit had a positive effect (0.343, confidence interval (CI) 0.019-0.666), whereas offering positive incentives, such as a cash reward (0.722, CI 0.429-1.014) or voucher (0.670, CI 0.373-0.967), was pivotal to the decision-making of those vaccinated once or twice. Among the triple vaccinated, vaccination readiness increased when adapted vaccines were offered (0.279, CI 0.182-0.377), but costs (-0.795, CI -0.935 to -0.654) and medical dissensus (-0.161, CI -0.293 to -0.030) reduced their likelihood to get vaccinated. We conclude that failing to mobilize the triple vaccinated is likely to result in booster vaccination rates falling short of expectations. For long-term success, measures fostering institutional trust should be considered. These results provide guidance to those responsible for future COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja A Stamm
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Center for Medical Data Science, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Erika Mosor
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Center for Medical Data Science, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Vienna, Austria
| | - Valentin Ritschl
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Center for Medical Data Science, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Alessia Alunno
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila and Internal Medicine and Nephrology Division, ASL1 Avezzano-Sulmona-L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zimmermann BM, Paul KT, Araújo ER, Buyx A, Ferstl S, Fiske A, Kraus D, Marelli L, McLennan S, Porta V, Prainsack B, Radhuber IM, Saxinger G. The social and socio-political embeddedness of COVID-19 vaccination decision-making: A five-country qualitative interview study from Europe. Vaccine 2023; 41:2084-2092. [PMID: 36813665 PMCID: PMC9933319 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina M Zimmermann
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Social Sciences, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Katharina T Paul
- Department of Political Science & Research Platform Governance of Digital Practices (DigiGov), University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, Austria.
| | - Emília R Araújo
- Institute of Social Sciences, Research Center on Communication Studies, University of Minho, Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Alena Buyx
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Social Sciences, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Ferstl
- Department of Political Science & Research Platform Governance of Digital Practices (DigiGov), University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, Austria.
| | - Amelia Fiske
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Social Sciences, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - David Kraus
- Department of Political Science & Research Platform Governance of Digital Practices (DigiGov), University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, Austria.
| | - Luca Marelli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, Italy; Life Sciences & Society Lab, Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Stuart McLennan
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Social Sciences, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Vittoria Porta
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy.
| | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Political Science & Research Platform Governance of Digital Practices (DigiGov), University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, Austria.
| | - Isabella M Radhuber
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, Austria.
| | - Gertrude Saxinger
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, Austria Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern, Lerchenweg 36, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Capurro G, Tustin J, Jardine CG, Driedger SM. When good messages go wrong: Perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine communication from generally vaccine accepting individuals in Canada. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2145822. [PMID: 36452995 PMCID: PMC9762838 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2145822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most important and successful public health interventions to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. However, unlike childhood diseases and routine vaccines, COVID-19 is a novel threat, and COVID-19 vaccines may elicit specific anxieties. Through focus groups, we examine the concerns and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine expressed by individuals who accept routine vaccinations in Canada. We also conducted a pre-focus group survey to document participant attitudes towards vaccines in general. While most participants had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or had the intention to get it, many had concerns. First, participants felt anxious about the quick development and approval of the vaccines, even if they recognized that the vaccines have undergone clinical trials. Second, participants felt confused about shifting public health guidelines regarding vaccine safety, changing the interval between doses, and mixing different vaccine brands. Finally, participants said they felt abandoned when deciding whether to get vaccinated or not. People who generally accept vaccines expressed concerns about COVID-19 vaccines, mostly related to the inevitable uncertainties of a new vaccine (i.e. novelty, safety, mandates, etc.). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, understood as concerns about the novelty of a vaccine and the rapid implementation of it, could be useful for understanding questioning attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines from people who accept routine vaccinations. Understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy can also provide valuable insights as booster doses are periodically needed and people may not be as accepting of these additional doses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Capurro
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jordan Tustin
- School of Occupational and Public Health, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cindy G. Jardine
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, Canada
| | - S. Michelle Driedger
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada,CONTACT S. Michelle Driedger Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, S113-750 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Caserotti M, Gavaruzzi T, Girardi P, Sellaro R, Rubaltelli E, Tasso A, Lotto L. People's perspectives about COVID-19 vaccination certificate: Findings from a representative Italian sample. Vaccine 2022; 40:7406-7414. [PMID: 36068108 PMCID: PMC9376303 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In Italy, like in other countries, issues still exist regarding how to reach high vaccine coverage and several countries have considered policies to increase vaccine uptake. In the present study, we focused on people who have a favorable attitude towards vaccination. In March-April 2021, we asked a representative sample of Italian participants (N = 1,530) to assess to what extent they would support the adoption of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, excluding unvaccinated people from participating in public and cultural events. Furthermore, as the vaccination coverage increases, severe forms of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization more likely involve unvaccinated individuals, who might be perceived as those who don't contribute to ending the pandemic and who constitute a significant health cost for society. We then asked participants to assess to what extent they would favor the idea of requiring people who refuse the vaccine to pay for their own medical expenses in case of hospitalization. We hypothesized that support for the adoption of the vaccination certificate would be predicted by the COVID-19 vaccination status (received, booked, high-, medium-, low-willingness to be vaccinated, or refused) and by the same factors that are known to affect the willingness to get vaccinated. These factors were also tested in a model aimed at investigating if a vaccinated person would favor a measure requiring the unvaccinated individuals to pay for medical expenses. Results confirmed that the support towards the vaccination certificate policy was strongly predicted by the vaccination status and by factors known to affect the willingness to get vaccinated. Interestingly (and surprisingly), a similar pattern was observed for the support of the policy about medical expenses. In conclusion, support for a COVID-19 vaccination certificate was high among the Italian population in the early phases of the vaccination rollout. The findings are discussed considering potential policies to tackle the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Caserotti
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Teresa Gavaruzzi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Paolo Girardi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy; Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Cesare Battisti 241, 35121 Padova, Italy.
| | - Roberta Sellaro
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Enrico Rubaltelli
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Tasso
- Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, Via Paradiso 12, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Lorella Lotto
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zimmermann BM, Wagenaar H, Kieslich K, Prainsack B, Meyers G, Buyx A, El-Sayed S, Fiske A, Galasso I, Geiger S, Hangel N, Horn R, Johnson S, Kuiper JML, Lucivero F, McLennan S, Paul KT, Pot M, Radhuber I, Samuel G, Sharon T, Siffels L, Van Hoyweghen I, Awad S, Bourgeron T, Eichinger J, Gaille M, Haddad C, Hayes S, Hoffman A, Jasser M, Kenens J, Lanzing M, Libert S, Lievevrouw E, Marelli L, Ongolly F, Phillips A, Pinel C, Riesinger K, Roberts S, Saxinger G, Schlogl L, Schönweitz F, Sierawska A, Spahl W, Stendahl E, Vanstreels S, Vidolov S, Weiss E. Democratic research: Setting up a research commons for a qualitative, comparative, longitudinal interview study during the COVID-19 pandemic. SSM Qual Res Health 2022; 2:100158. [PMID: 36092769 PMCID: PMC9448682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The sudden and dramatic advent of the COVID-19 pandemic led to urgent demands for timely, relevant, yet rigorous research. This paper discusses the origin, design, and execution of the SolPan research commons, a large-scale, international, comparative, qualitative research project that sought to respond to the need for knowledge among researchers and policymakers in times of crisis. The form of organization as a research commons is characterized by an underlying solidaristic attitude of its members and its intrinsic organizational features in which research data and knowledge in the study is shared and jointly owned. As such, the project is peer-governed, rooted in (idealist) social values of academia, and aims at providing tools and benefits for its members. In this paper, we discuss challenges and solutions for qualitative studies that seek to operate as research commons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina M Zimmermann
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik Wagenaar
- Institute for Advanced Studies, Josefstädter Straße 39, 1080, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Kieslich
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gert Meyers
- Tilburg Institute for Law Technology and Society, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
- Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alena Buyx
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Seliem El-Sayed
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Amelia Fiske
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Ilaria Galasso
- ERC MISFIRES, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Susi Geiger
- University College Dublin Business School, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Nora Hangel
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Ruth Horn
- Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, OX3 7LF, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephanie Johnson
- Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, OX3 7LF, Oxford, UK
| | - Janneke M L Kuiper
- Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Federica Lucivero
- Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, OX3 7LF, Oxford, UK
| | - Stuart McLennan
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina T Paul
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirjam Pot
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabella Radhuber
- Research Network Latin America - Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010, Wien, Austria
| | - Gabrielle Samuel
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, Bush House North East Wing, 30 Aldwych, WC2B 4BG, London, UK
| | - Tamar Sharon
- iHub Department of Philosophical Ethics and Political Philosophy, Radboud University, Erasmusplein 1, 6525, HT Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lotje Siffels
- iHub Department of Philosophical Ethics and Political Philosophy, Radboud University, Erasmusplein 1, 6525, HT Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ine Van Hoyweghen
- Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sula Awad
- ERC MISFIRES, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Théo Bourgeron
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Chrystal MacMillan Building, 15a George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LD, UK
| | - Johanna Eichinger
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie Gaille
- Laboratoire Sphere, Paris Diderot University, 5 Rue Thomas Mann, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Christian Haddad
- Austrian Institute for International Affairs, Währinger Straße 3/12, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Hayes
- Vienna School of International Studies, Diplomatische Akademie Wien, Favoritenstraße 15A, 1040, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrew Hoffman
- iHub Department of Philosophical Ethics and Political Philosophy, Radboud University, Erasmusplein 1, 6525, HT Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marie Jasser
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Joke Kenens
- Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marjolein Lanzing
- iHub Department of Philosophical Ethics and Political Philosophy, Radboud University, Erasmusplein 1, 6525, HT Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sébastien Libert
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, Bloomsbury, London, UK
| | - Elisa Lievevrouw
- Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luca Marelli
- Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan
| | - Fernandos Ongolly
- ERC MISFIRES, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Amicia Phillips
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Clémence Pinel
- Department of Public Health Øster Farimagsgade 5, P.O. Box 2099, DK-1014, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katharina Riesinger
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephen Roberts
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Gertrude Saxinger
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Schlogl
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Franziska Schönweitz
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Sierawska
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Wanda Spahl
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Emma Stendahl
- Jönköping International Business School, Jönköping University, Gjuterigatan 5, 553 18 Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Siemen Vanstreels
- Centre for Sociological Research, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simeon Vidolov
- ERC MISFIRES, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Elias Weiss
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zalewska M, Fus W, Konka A, Wystyrk K, Bochenek A, Botor H, Fronczek M, Zembala-John J, Adamek B. An Immune Response to Heterologous ChAdOx1/BNT162b2 Vaccination against COVID-19: Evaluation of the anti-RBD Specific IgG Antibodies Titers and Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) Test Results. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091546. [PMID: 36146624 PMCID: PMC9506411 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the magnitude of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers and Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test results following administration of booster BNT162b2 in 48 ChAd-primed participants (vaccination schedule: ChAd/ChAd/BNT). Whole blood samples were collected: first, before and second, 21 days after the booster dose. The IgG level was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay; the intensity of the T-cell response—IFNγ concentration—was assessed using IGRA test. At 21 days after the booster, all subjects achieved reactive/positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, and IGRA test results showed a significant increase compared to the results before booster administration. We compared the results before and after the booster between participants with and without prior history of COVID-19. The IFNγ concentrations in both cohorts were higher in convalescents (both before booster and 21 days after). The IgG titers were subtly lower in COVID-19 convalescents than in naïve but without statistical significance. Data on cell-mediated immunity are scarce, especially with regard to the general population. A better understanding of the complexity of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 could contribute to developing more effective vaccination strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Zalewska
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, H. Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Wiktoria Fus
- Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Adam Konka
- Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Karolina Wystyrk
- Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Aneta Bochenek
- Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Hanna Botor
- Acellmed Ltd., M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Martyna Fronczek
- Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, H. Jordana 38, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Joanna Zembala-John
- Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10C, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Medicine and Environmental Epidemiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, H. Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland
- Silesian Center for Heart Diseases in Zabrze, M. Curie—Skłodowskiej 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Brygida Adamek
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sides E, Jones LF, Kamal A, Thomas A, Syeda R, Kaissi A, Lecky DM, Patel M, Nellums L, Greenway J, Campos-Matos I, Shukla R, Brown CS, Pareek M, Sollars L, Pawson E, McNulty C. Attitudes towards coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine and sources of information across diverse ethnic groups in the UK: a qualitative study from June to October 2020. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060992. [PMID: 36581971 PMCID: PMC9437733 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-060992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Across diverse ethnic groups in the UK, explore attitudes and intentions towards COVID-19 vaccination and sources of COVID-19 information. DESIGN Remote qualitative interviews and focus groups (FGs) conducted June-October 2020 before UK COVID-19 vaccine approval. Data were transcribed and analysed through inductive thematic analysis and mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. SETTING England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS 100 participants from 19 self-identified ethnic groups. RESULTS Mistrust and doubt were reported across ethnic groups. Many participants shared concerns about perceived lack of information about COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy. There were differences within each ethnic group, with factors such as occupation and perceived health status influencing intention to accept a vaccine once made available. Across ethnic groups, participants believed that public contact occupations, older adults and vulnerable groups should be prioritised for vaccination. Perceived risk, social influences, occupation, age, comorbidities and engagement with healthcare influenced participants' intentions to accept vaccination once available. All Jewish FG participants intended to accept, while all Traveller FG participants indicated they probably would not.Facilitators to COVID-19 vaccine uptake across ethnic groups included: desire to return to normality and protect health and well-being; perceived higher risk of infection; evidence of vaccine safety and efficacy; vaccine availability and accessibility.COVID-19 information sources were influenced by social factors and included: friends and family; media and news outlets; research literature; and culture and religion. Participants across most different ethnic groups were concerned about misinformation or had negative attitudes towards the media. CONCLUSIONS During vaccination rollout, including boosters, commissioners and providers should provide accurate information, authentic community outreach and use appropriate channels to disseminate information and counter misinformation. Adopting a context-specific approach to vaccine resources, interventions and policies and empowering communities has potential to increase trust in the programme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eirwen Sides
- Primary Care and Interventions Unit, UKHSA South West, Bristol, UK
| | - Leah Ffion Jones
- Primary Care and Interventions Unit, UKHSA South West, Bristol, UK
| | - Atiya Kamal
- Psychology, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Amy Thomas
- Primary Care and Interventions Unit, UKHSA South West, Bristol, UK
| | - Rowshonara Syeda
- Prevention Strategy & Innovation Team, UK Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Awatif Kaissi
- Primary Care and Interventions Unit, UKHSA South West, Bristol, UK
| | - Donna M Lecky
- Primary Care and Interventions Unit, UKHSA South West, Bristol, UK
| | - Mahendra Patel
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences (Faculty of Life Sciences), University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Laura Nellums
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | | | | | - Colin S Brown
- Bacteria Reference Department, National Infection Service, UKHSA, London, UK
| | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Emma Pawson
- UK Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | - Cliodna McNulty
- Primary Care and Interventions Unit, UKHSA South West, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chen J, Chen A, Shi Y, Chen K, Zhao KH, Xu M, He R, Huang Z. A Systematic Investigation of American Vaccination Preference via Historical Data. Processes (Basel) 2022; 10:1665. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10081665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While COVID-19 vaccines are generally available, not all people receive vaccines. To reach herd immunity, most of a population must be vaccinated. It is, thus, important to identify factors influencing people’s vaccination preferences, as knowledge of these preferences allows for governments and health programs to increase their vaccine coverage more effectively. Fortunately, vaccination data were collected by U.S. Census Bureau in partnership with the CDC via the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) for Americans. This study presents the first analysis of the 24 vaccination datasets collected by the HPS from January 2021 to May 2022 for 250 million respondents of different ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, education statuses, marital statuses, household sizes, household income levels, and resources used for spending needs, and with different reasons for not receiving or planning to receive a vaccine. Statistical analysis techniques, including an analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey multiple comparisons test, and hierarchical clustering (HC), were implemented to analyze the HPS vaccination data in the R language. It was found that sexual orientation, gender, age, and education had statistically significant influences on the vaccination rates. In particular, the gay/lesbian group showed a higher vaccination rate than the straight group; the transgender group had a lower vaccination rate than either the female or the male groups; older respondents showed greater preference for vaccination; respondents with higher education levels also preferred vaccination. As for the other factors that were not significant enough to influence vaccinations in the ANOVA, notable trends were found. Asian Americans had higher vaccination rates than other races; respondents from larger household sizes had a lower chance of getting vaccinated; the unmarried group showed the lowed vaccination rate in the marital category; the respondents depending on borrowed money from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) showed a lower vaccination rate than people with regular incomes. Concerns regarding the side-effects and the safety of the vaccines were the two major reasons for vaccination hesitance at the beginning of the pandemic, while having no trust in the vaccines and no trust in the government became more common in the later stage of the pandemic. The findings in this study can be used by governments or organizations to improve their vaccination campaigns or methods of combating future pandemics.
Collapse
|
17
|
Chutiyami M, Salihu D, Bello UM, Winser SJ, Gambo AA, Sabo H, Kolo AM, Jalo HA, Muhammad AS, Mahmud FA, Adeleye KK, Azubuike OM, Bukola IM, Kannan P. Are Fear of COVID-19 and Vaccine Hesitancy Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake? A Population-Based Online Survey in Nigeria. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081271. [PMID: 36016160 PMCID: PMC9415607 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the association between COVID-19 and fear of contracting COVID-19 and reasons for vaccination refusal. A population-based online survey was conducted via social media in Nigeria using the Fear of COVID-19 scale and items related to vaccination refusal/hesitancy items. Individuals aged 13 years and older were invited to participate. Data were analysed using binary logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) at a p-value of less than 0.05. The study enrolled 577 individuals with a mean age of 31.86 years, 70% of whom were male and 27.7% of whom had received at least one dose of the vaccine against COVID-19. None of the variables on the Fear of COVID-19 scale significantly predicted vaccine uptake in multivariate analysis. However, individuals who were fearful of COVID-19 were more likely to be vaccinated in bivariate analysis (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.06–2.63). The most significant factors among the vaccination refusal items associated with COVID-19 vaccination were doubts about vaccination (adjusted OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.57–4.17) and misconceptions about vaccine safety/efficacy (adjusted OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.24–3.71). These results suggest that uptake of the vaccine against COVID-19 in Nigeria can be predicted by factors associated with vaccination refusal, but not by fear of COVID-19. To contain the pandemic COVID-19 in Nigeria, efforts should be made to educate people about the efficacy of the vaccine and to increase their confidence in vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Chutiyami
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia
| | - Dauda Salihu
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
- College of Nursing, Jouf University, Sakaka 42421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Umar Muhammad Bello
- Department of Physiotherapy and Paramedicine, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
- Correspondence: (U.M.B.); (S.J.W.)
| | - Stanley John Winser
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Correspondence: (U.M.B.); (S.J.W.)
| | - Amina Abdullahi Gambo
- Department of Paediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano 700101, Nigeria
| | - Hadiza Sabo
- School of Basic Midwifery, Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery Damaturu, Damaturu 100101, Nigeria
| | - Adam Mustapha Kolo
- Family Health International (FHI 360) Borno State, Maiduguri 600215, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Fatima Ado Mahmud
- Physiotherapy Department, Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu 620241, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Priya Kannan
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sagoe D, Ogunbode C, Antwi P, Knizek BL, Awaleh Z, Dadzie O. UK ethnic minority healthcare workers' perspectives on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the UK ethnic minority community: A qualitative study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:908917. [PMID: 35992396 PMCID: PMC9381748 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.908917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The experiences of UK ethnic minority (UKEM) healthcare workers are crucial to ameliorating the disproportionate COVID-19 infection rate and outcomes in the UKEM community. We conducted a qualitative study on UKEM healthcare workers' perspectives on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (CVH) in the UKEM community. Methods Participants were 15 UKEM healthcare workers (11 females; age range: 26-58 [43.3 ± 9.4] years). Data were collected using individual and joint interviews, and a focus group, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results We generated three themes: heterogeneity (two subthemes), mistrust (six subthemes), and mitigating (six subthemes). Therein, participants distinguished CVH in the UKEM community in educational attainment and ethnicity. They pointed to the role of mistrust in CVH in the UKEM community. They opined that the mistrust underlying CVH in the UKEM community is rooted in history and religion, conspiracy theories, the speedy development and novelty of the vaccines, post-vaccination complications/side effects, false positive test results, and social media and social support/influence. Participants recommended that interventions targeted at mitigating CVH in the UKEM community need to, in a non-judgmental way, tackle dis/misinformation and provide education, and incorporate UKEM healthcare worker endorsement. They also suggested such interventions be community-oriented, enhance the convenience of vaccination centers and the possibility of vaccine choice, and appreciate that overcoming CVH and accepting vaccination is a gradual process involving personal assessment of risks and benefits. Conclusion CVH in the UKEM community is a multifaceted phenomenon requiring multicomponent interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Sagoe
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Charles Ogunbode
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Philomena Antwi
- Department of Health and Exercise, Kristiania University College, Bergen, Norway
| | - Birthe Loa Knizek
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Zahrah Awaleh
- Chaplaincy, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ophelia Dadzie
- Department of Dermatology, Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Northwest London Pathology, Imperial College London NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Burger MN, Mayer M, Steimanis I. Repeated information of benefits reduces COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy: Experimental evidence from Germany. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270666. [PMID: 35763537 PMCID: PMC9239477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many countries, such as Germany, struggle to vaccinate enough people against COVID-19 despite the availability of safe and efficient vaccines. With new variants emerging and the need for booster vaccinations, overcoming vaccination hesitancy gains importance. The research to date has revealed some promising, albeit contentious, interventions to increase vaccination intention. However, these have yet to be tested for their effectiveness in increasing vaccination rates. Methods & results We conducted a preregistered survey experiment with N = 1,324 participants in Germany in May/June 2021. This was followed by a series of emails reminding participants to get vaccinated in August and concluded with a follow-up survey in September. We experimentally assess whether debunking vaccination myths, highlighting the benefits of being vaccinated, or sending vaccination reminders decreases hesitancy. In the survey experiment, we find no increase in the intention to vaccinate regardless of the information provided. However, communicating vaccination benefits over several weeks reduced the likelihood of not being vaccinated by 9 percentage points, which translates into a 27% reduction compared to the control group. Debunking vaccination myths and reminders alone also decreased the likelihood, yet not significantly. Discussion Our findings suggest that if soft governmental interventions such as information campaigns are employed, highlighting benefits should be given preference over debunking vaccination myths. Furthermore, it seems that repeated messages affect vaccination action while one-time messages might be insufficient, even for increasing vaccination intentions. Our study highlights the importance of testing interventions outside of survey experiments that are limited to measuring vaccination intentions—not actions—and immediate changes in attitudes and intentions—not long-term changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Mayer
- Department of Economics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ivo Steimanis
- Department of Economics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Affiliation(s)
- Wanda Spahl
- Centre for the Study of Contemporary Solidarity (CeSCoS), Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirjam Pot
- Centre for the Study of Contemporary Solidarity (CeSCoS), Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina T. Paul
- Centre for the Study of Contemporary Solidarity (CeSCoS), Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|