Public perceptions and the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19: Lessons from Israel

Oren Heller, Yung Chun, Yaniv Shlomo, Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, Mary Acri, Saneel Kulkarni, Michal Grinstein-Weiss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the associations between vaccine hesitancy and demographic and socio-economic characteristics, as well as perspective towards the COVID-19 and its vaccines. Methods: Data were collected through four online surveys on Israel's representative sample in March (3/2 to 3/7, n = 1517), August (8/10–8/11, n = 925; 8/18–8/22, n = 1054), and September (9/22-9/24; n=1406), 2021. We employ a set of logistic regression models to explore the association between the vaccination action and intentions and the individual-level attributes. Results: We find that individual characteristics, such as age, ethnicity/religiosity, and income, were associated with the vaccination action and intention during the early stage of vaccine distribution. However, most of the discrepancies across demographic groups have disappeared as time passed, and once we limit to those who had not been infected. Lastly, individuals' perspectives toward COVID-19 and its vaccines have prediction power as high as 39% of the vaccination action and intention, higher than their demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Implications: Our findings have the potential to facilitate efforts to increase vaccine uptake by targeting populations, which are the most likely to express hesitancy, and address reported barriers to receipt.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2053-2061
Number of pages9
JournalVaccine
Volume40
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - 18 Mar 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Michal Grinstein-Weiss reports financial support was provided by Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Michal Grinstein-Weiss reports financial support was provided by Centene Center for Health Transformation. Michal Grinstein-Weiss reports a relationship with Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth that includes: funding grants. Michal Grinstein-Weiss reports a relationship with Centene Center for Health Transformation that includes: funding grants.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Immunology and Microbiology (all)
  • Veterinary (all)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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