COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy: A longitudinal study

Abstract

How do attitudes toward vaccination change over the course of a public health crisis? We report results from a longitudinal survey of United States residents during six months (March 16 -August 16, 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to past research suggesting that the increased salience of a disease threat should improve attitudes toward vaccines, we observed a decrease in intentions of getting a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available. We further found a decline in general vaccine attitudes and intentions of getting the influenza vaccine. Analyses of heterogeneity indicated that this decline is driven by participants who identify as Republicans, who showed a negative trend in vaccine attitudes and intentions, whereas Democrats remained largely stable. Consistent with research on risk perception and behavior, those with less favorable attitudes toward a COVID-19 vaccination also perceived the virus to be less threatening. We provide suggestive evidence that differential exposure to media channels and social networks could explain the observed asymmetric polarization between self-identified Democrats and Republicans.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1. Vaccination attitudes and intentions by political affiliation (March–August 2020).

Points represent means, and error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. All scale responses range from 1 to 7.

Fig 2. Perceived threat of COVID-19 by political affiliation (March–August 2020).

Points represent means, and error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. All scale responses range from 1 to 7.

Fig 3. Trust in broad institutions by political affiliation (March–August 2020).

Points represent means, and error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. All scale responses range from 1 to 7.