Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Italy, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Italy, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy; Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy, Via Cesare Battisti 241, 35121 Padova, Italy.
Prev Med. 2022 Jan;154:106885. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106885. Epub 2021 Nov 12.
Despite the actual availability of COVID-19 vaccines to combat the pandemic, many people are still vacillating in their decision to vaccinate. In this study, we considered the effect of two relevant contextual issues on vaccination intention: the number of people infected with COVID-19 is increasing, and the pace of vaccination is gaining speed. Specifically, we hypothesized that having already contracted SARS-CoV-2 (post-positive reluctance) could lead people to underestimate the importance of vaccination. Moreover, as the number of vaccinated people increases, more hesitant people could fall into the free-riding intention category, benefitting from the immunity provided by others' vaccinations. Vaccine hesitancy becomes more critical as the vaccination campaign proceeds: at one point, it will be inevitable to deal with hesitant people. This study is part of a WHO Regional Office for Europe project and involved a representative sample of 5006 Italians interviewed in January-February 2021. In case of post-positive reluctance, both young age and female gender increase vaccine hesitancy, while a high level of education reduces free-riding intention. Considering post-positive reluctance and free riding, a protective effect on hesitancy is associated with negative affective states, adherence to protective behaviors, trust in health information sources, and resilience. In contrast, increased vaccine hesitancy is associated with a high level of conspiracy-mindedness and trust in media information sources. Recognizing and studying the post-positive reluctance and the phenomenon of free-riding people can help us to become more efficient in combatting the virus.
尽管有实际的 COVID-19 疫苗可用于对抗这一流行病，但仍有许多人在接种疫苗的问题上犹豫不决。在这项研究中，我们考虑了两个相关的背景问题对接种意愿的影响：感染 COVID-19 的人数正在增加，疫苗接种的速度正在加快。具体来说，我们假设已经感染了 SARS-CoV-2（既往阳性后不情愿）可能导致人们低估疫苗接种的重要性。此外，随着接种疫苗人数的增加，更多犹豫不决的人可能会陷入搭便车的意愿类别，从他人接种疫苗提供的免疫力中受益。随着疫苗接种运动的推进，疫苗犹豫变得更加关键：在某一时刻，不可避免地需要应对犹豫不决的人。本研究是世界卫生组织欧洲区域办事处项目的一部分，涉及 2021 年 1 月至 2 月期间对 5006 名意大利人进行的代表性样本调查。在既往阳性后不情愿的情况下，年龄较小和女性性别会增加疫苗犹豫，而较高的教育水平会降低搭便车的意愿。考虑到既往阳性后不情愿和搭便车，对犹豫的保护作用与负面情感状态、遵守保护行为、对健康信息来源的信任和韧性有关。相比之下，疫苗犹豫程度增加与阴谋论思维水平较高和对媒体信息来源的信任有关。认识和研究既往阳性后不情愿和搭便车的现象，可以帮助我们更有效地对抗病毒。
