PURPOSE

To investigate partisanship in COVID-19 attitudes, and assess partisan or scientific messaging effects on COVID-19 vaccination intentions.

DESIGN

Two-wave survey with two-arm randomized experiment.

SETTING

Recruited Pennsylvania residents online.

SAMPLE

2037 (May 2020) and 1577 (October 2020) Pennsylvania residents, aged 18-94 years.

INTERVENTION

Respondents saw messaging that presented either President Trump or scientists endorsing the vaccine, then reported their vaccination intentions.

MEASURES

Likert scale items measuring COVID-19 attitudes (May), including mask wearing and vaccination intentions (May and October).

ANALYSIS

Partisan differences in attitudes were analyzed by chi-square; differences in support for mask wearing and vaccination intentions were also analyzed by Mann-Whitney U. The messaging experiment was analyzed by chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and survey-weighted multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Significant partisan differences were found in all attitudes. The partisan split in support for mask wearing increased from May to October, whereas the split in vaccination intentions decreased. Compared to partisan messaging, scientific messaging increased overall odds of intending to vaccinate by 32% in May (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.65), and increased odds among Democrats by 142% in October (AOR = 2.42, CI = 1.29-4.55). Scientific messaging had no significant effect on independents or Republicans.

CONCLUSION

Partisan COVID-19 attitudes were widespread and persistent. Partisan endorsement of the vaccine positively influenced those with congruent beliefs, while scientific messaging produced consistent effects across political affiliation.