Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.9
5.2
Journals
Vaccines
Special Issues
Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors
share announcement

Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Vaccines and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 12519

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yam B. Limbu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Business, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
Interests: consumer behavior; pharmaceutical and healthcare; vaccine hesitancy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues，

As guest editor, I am pleased to invite you to contribute your research to this Special Issue entitled “Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors”. Vaccination is an essential preventive practice against infectious viral and bacterial diseases. However, increasing research reveals that negative attitudes toward vaccination continue to pose significant challenges to successfully implementing vaccination programs. Research also shows that vaccine hesitancy extends across a wide range of populations, including young adults, healthy individuals, parents, and patients. Since public attitudes, perceptions, and intentions are pivotal to achieving the desired vaccination goal and attaining herd immunity, it is essential to identify the factors nurturing positive attitudes toward vaccines and driving vaccination intentions. Hence, this Special Issue welcomes original studies and review articles from diverse disciplines covering a wide range of vaccinations, including COVID-19 and annual/routine vaccinations (e.g., influenza, HPV, Hepatitis). Investigations applying various theories and methodological approaches, as well as research that helps create theory-based vaccination interventions, are welcomed. In addition, we welcome quantitative studies offering novel empirical evidence at the micro as well as the macro level that use psychological, anthropological, and health communication perspectives to study what constitutes people’s vaccination attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: 

  • Attitudes towards vaccines and vaccination;
  • Promoters and barriers of vaccination intention or acceptance;
  • Determinants of vaccine hesitancy;
  • Trust and mistrust toward vaccines and vaccination;
  • Cross-cultural and geographic differences in vaccination attitudes and behaviors;
  • Generational differences in vaccination attitudes and behaviors;
  • Cultural paradigm of vaccine acceptors and hesitant groups;
  • Behavioral change theories and models in vaccination promotion;
  • Vaccination attitude change strategies;
  • Communication strategies for changing vaccination perceptions, attitudes, and intentions;
  • Vaccination promotion interventions;
  • Vaccines and vaccination information sources;
  • Media effects on vaccines and vaccination.

Prof. Dr. Yam B. Limbu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • vaccination attitudes
  • vaccine perceptions
  • vaccination intention
  • vaccine hesitancy
  • culture and vaccination
  • behavioral theories
  • attitude strategies
  • vaccination interventions
  • information sources
  • media influence

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

15 pages, 3639 KiB  
Article
Attitudes, Beliefs, and Self-Reported Rates of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Canadian 2023–2024 National Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Survey
by Samir Sinha, Natalie Iciaszczyk, Bertrand Roy and Wendy Boivin
Vaccines 2024, 12(11), 1230; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12111230 - 29 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1108
Abstract
Background: We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey of adult Canadian residents to evaluate their attitudes and beliefs about vaccination against respiratory viruses, particularly influenza and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Methodology: Survey participants aged ≥ 18 years were randomly recruited from the Léger Opinion (LEO) [...] Read more.
Background: We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey of adult Canadian residents to evaluate their attitudes and beliefs about vaccination against respiratory viruses, particularly influenza and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Methodology: Survey participants aged ≥ 18 years were randomly recruited from the Léger Opinion (LEO) consumer panel. Results: Out of 3002 respondents, 76% reported being “up-to-date” on all of their recommended vaccinations, 86% reported understanding why the influenza vaccine was needed annually, 79% reported believing the influenza vaccine was safe, and 83% reported understanding that vaccines, in general, were important for health. However, only 49% reported receiving the influenza vaccine in the fall of 2023, and 46% received a COVID-19 vaccine (68% of those who received one received the other). More than half of the respondents (55%) reported that they found it difficult to keep track of which vaccines were recommended for them, while 74% indicated that they valued the opinion of their healthcare provider (HCP) when deciding whether to be vaccinated against influenza, and 73% said they would not hesitate to receive multiple vaccines at the same time if their HCP recommended it. Conclusions: These findings highlight the ongoing need for education and outreach in Canada. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 960 KiB  
Article
Using Behavior Integration to Identify Barriers and Motivators for COVID-19 Vaccination and Build a Vaccine Demand and Confidence Strategy in Southeastern Europe
by Stefan Mandić-Rajčević, Smiljana Cvjetković, Lisa Oot, Dalibor Tasevski, Ankita Meghani, Hannah Wallace, Tatiana Cotelnic, Dragoslav Popović, Elan Ebeling, Tonja Cullen Balogun and Lynne Cogswell
Vaccines 2024, 12(10), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12101131 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1709
Abstract
Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with Eastern Europe experiencing notable excess morbidity and mortality and vaccine hesitancy. This study utilized the Behavior Integration (BI) framework to identify barriers and motivators for COVID-19 vaccination and develop strategies to increase vaccine [...] Read more.
Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with Eastern Europe experiencing notable excess morbidity and mortality and vaccine hesitancy. This study utilized the Behavior Integration (BI) framework to identify barriers and motivators for COVID-19 vaccination and develop strategies to increase vaccine demand and confidence in Moldova, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Methods. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. The BI framework was used to integrate human behaviors with technical and operational considerations throughout the project. Results. A total of 2742 online surveys were collected in Moldova and Serbia, revealing significant barriers such as vaccine safety concerns (OR = 1.839, 95% CI: 1.328–2.547 in urban Moldova; OR = 1.990, 95% CI: 1.351–2.931 in urban Serbia), logistical challenges, and lack of institutional trust. Conversely, motivators included personal health concerns, recommendations from health care providers, and the desire to travel. The proposed social and behavior change strategy included a continuing medical education course that trained 2403 medical providers, with post-test results showing a 99% improvement in knowledge and confidence in applying the information, and collective engagement workshops for 3260 chronic disease patients and 842 pregnant women, of which 7% were vaccinated against COVID-19. Conclusions. The BI approach effectively identified and addressed vaccination barriers and motivators, leading to tailored strategies that increased vaccine uptake. Continuous stakeholder engagement, adaptive learning processes, and local organizations are crucial for refining program implementation, ensuring sustainability, and promoting public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 956 KiB  
Article
Addressing Missed Opportunities for Vaccination among Children in Hospitals: Leveraging the P-Process for Health Communication Strategies
by Baldeep K. Dhaliwal, Joseph L. Mathew, Patience N. Obiagwu, Rachel Hill, Chizoba B. Wonodi, Tyler Best and Anita Shet
Vaccines 2024, 12(8), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12080884 - 3 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1177
Abstract
Addressing missed opportunities for vaccination requires a nuanced and context-specific approach. The five-step P-Process provides a robust framework to develop a clearly defined strategy that addresses social and behavioral drivers, integrates into existing health delivery systems, and facilitates collaboration with local experts. This [...] Read more.
Addressing missed opportunities for vaccination requires a nuanced and context-specific approach. The five-step P-Process provides a robust framework to develop a clearly defined strategy that addresses social and behavioral drivers, integrates into existing health delivery systems, and facilitates collaboration with local experts. This approach allows teams to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate strategies to address public health issues. However, its specific application in vaccination communication programs remains relatively underexplored and under-documented. Our team designed a multi-pronged communication intervention aimed at enhancing vaccine uptake among hospitalized children in two tertiary hospitals in India and Nigeria. In the Inquiry stage, we conducted in-depth interviews with caregivers of hospitalized children to assess barriers to vaccination in a hospital setting. In the Strategic Development stage, we developed a blueprint for activities, identifying target audiences and communication channels and developing implementation plans. During the Create and Test stage, we brought together a range of stakeholders to co-develop a communication intervention through human-centered design workshops, after which we piloted the materials in both hospitals. We then Mobilized and Monitored progress of the activities to identify potential gaps that our materials did not initially address. Lastly, in the Evaluate and Evolve stage, we conducted in-depth interviews with healthcare workers and caregivers to measure outcomes and assess the impact on caregivers’ decisions to vaccinate their hospitalized children. By following the P-Process for the design, caregivers reported that many of their concerns about vaccines were alleviated, and HCWs reported that they were able to communicate with caregivers more effectively about vaccination. By harnessing the power of the P-Process, researchers can forge a context-specific path towards impactful vaccination communication interventions, one step at a time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3325 KiB  
Article
Influenza Vaccination in Children Younger than 5 Years in the Region of Murcia (Spain), a Comparative Analysis among Vaccinating and Non-Vaccinating Parents: Data from the FLUTETRA Study
by Jaime Jesús Pérez Martín, Matilde Zornoza Moreno, Francisca Isabel Tornel Miñarro, María Cruz Gómez Moreno, María del Carmen Valcárcel Gómez and Marta Pérez Martínez
Vaccines 2024, 12(2), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12020192 - 13 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2435
Abstract
The high burden of influenza in children has driven numerous countries towards universal vaccination of healthy children from 6 to 59 months of age. The Region of Murcia was one of the pioneer Spanish regions to conduct a universal vaccination campaign and to [...] Read more.
The high burden of influenza in children has driven numerous countries towards universal vaccination of healthy children from 6 to 59 months of age. The Region of Murcia was one of the pioneer Spanish regions to conduct a universal vaccination campaign and to use live-attenuated intranasal vaccine (LAIV) if age appropriate. This study aims to evaluate the parents’ likeliness to vaccinate their children and to compare the profile of vaccinating/non-vaccinating parents. This study was designed as a prospective, real-world, survey-based data collection in the 2022–2023 season campaign. This study’s sample was selected from those children whose information was available in the local Public Health System databases PERSAN and VACUSAN. Children received LAIV or intramuscular vaccine (IIV) depending on their age as per standard practice. The parent self-vaccination/intention to vaccinate themselves in this campaign (OR = 4.75), the compliance with the official vaccination schedule (OR = 3.41), and the prescription of antibiotics more than twice in the previous year (OR = 2.24) were strongly associated with children’s vaccination. Overall, vaccinating parents were very satisfied with the vaccine (IIV: 67.5% vs. LAIV: 68.8%, p = 0.320), and most parents would rather have their children vaccinated with LAIV for the next campaign (43.0%). The main reasons for vaccinating were to protect the child (LAIV: 85.9% vs. IIV: 89.4%), and the predominant reasons for not vaccinating were a lack of healthcare professional recommendation (30.9%), and lack of information about the vaccination campaign (21.5%) and the vaccine itself (21.0%). The clinical context of parents and children was determinant in decision making, which was also influenced by the presence or absence of recommendation by healthcare professionals. Parents were generally very satisfied with the vaccine and showed their preference towards LAIV for future campaigns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 912 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Social Media and Institutional Trust on Vaccine Hesitancy in France: Examining Direct and Mediating Processes
by Christopher J. McKinley, Elea Olivier and Jeremy K. Ward
Vaccines 2023, 11(8), 1319; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11081319 - 3 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2463
Abstract
Vaccine hesitancy (VH) remains an ongoing challenge in French society. This project explored how institutional trust and preference for information via social media (PISM) drive hesitancy. Across a large, nationally represented population, our findings show that PISM and trust are strongly correlated measures, [...] Read more.
Vaccine hesitancy (VH) remains an ongoing challenge in French society. This project explored how institutional trust and preference for information via social media (PISM) drive hesitancy. Across a large, nationally represented population, our findings show that PISM and trust are strongly correlated measures, with both independently predicting VH. Subsequent mediation tests show that social media operates as primarily an indirect contributor to VH through trust. Additional tests involving VH and non-VH typologies revealed that institutional trust consistently predicts greater general support for vaccines and reduced distrust in vaccination. Conversely, PISM directly drives vaccine distrust, with its impact on non-hesitancy fully mediated by institutional trust. Overall, these findings point to the relevance for researchers and public health deciders to address the nature by which people utilize social media information resources and how that interacts with levels of trust for national institutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

26 pages, 980 KiB  
Systematic Review
Message Effectiveness of Fear Appeals in Vaccination Communication Campaigns: A Systematic Review
by Yam B. Limbu and Bruce A. Huhmann
Vaccines 2024, 12(6), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12060653 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2515
Abstract
This systematic review of 54 cross-disciplinary peer-reviewed causal empirical studies helps public health officials, researchers, and healthcare professionals better comprehend the effects of fear appeals in vaccine promotional campaigns on message processing, persuasion, vaccination attitudes, and vaccination intentions. This review documents inconsistent findings [...] Read more.
This systematic review of 54 cross-disciplinary peer-reviewed causal empirical studies helps public health officials, researchers, and healthcare professionals better comprehend the effects of fear appeals in vaccine promotional campaigns on message processing, persuasion, vaccination attitudes, and vaccination intentions. This review documents inconsistent findings across studies, which it attempts to clarify by considering differences in research designs, sample populations, and outcomes measured. In general, we find that fear appeals increase risk perceptions, message involvement, and vaccination attitudes. However, fear appeals have less influence on vaccination intentions, especially among female and general adult populations or populations from the U.S. and other Western cultures. On the other hand, the effect of fear appeals on vaccination intentions is stronger among student populations and those from China (People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong) and other non-Western cultures. Also, fear appeals are less persuasive when promoting COVID-19 vaccines and boosters than they are for other vaccines (e.g., HPV, influenza, MMR). Future research should compare fear appeal effectiveness in messages across vaccines or when combined with other executional elements, such as the endorser or type of evidence provided. Finally, future studies should explore other methodological approaches and measure underexplored message outcomes, such as vaccine uptake behavior, in more naturalistic settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccination Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behaviors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop