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Online health information seeking and Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy: Evidence from 50+ Europeans

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  • Principe, Francesco
  • Weber, Guglielmo

Abstract

We use recently released data from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to investigate the role of online health information seeking on Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy, which is defined as the reluctance or refusal to receive vaccinations despite the availability of vaccines. We adopt an instrumental variable strategy that exploits the computerization of workplaces occurred in the last century to deal with endogeneity. We find that searching for health information strongly reduces vaccine hesitancy. Results also show that individuals whose social networks suffered more during the outbreak, in terms of hospitalisations and deaths, are less likely to be hesitant. Improving individuals’ technological skills might have positive spill-over effects for public health.

Suggested Citation

  • Principe, Francesco & Weber, Guglielmo, 2023. "Online health information seeking and Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy: Evidence from 50+ Europeans," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:138:y:2023:i:c:s0168851023002270
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104942
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Covid-19; Internet; Vaccine hesitancy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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