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COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortality in Social Networks: Does It Influence Vaccine Hesitancy?

Author

Listed:
  • Jagdish Khubchandani

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA)

  • Sushil Sharma

    (Miller College of Business, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA)

  • James H. Price

    (School of Population Health, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA)

  • Michael J. Wiblishauser

    (School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development, University of Houston, Victoria, TX 77901, USA)

  • Fern J. Webb

    (Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA)

Abstract

The impact of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among family and friends on vaccination preferences is not well explored. A valid and reliable questionnaire was deployed online via mTurk to recruit a national random sample of adult Americans to understand COVID-19 vaccination preferences and its relationship with COVID-19 infection in social networks. A total of 1602 individuals participated in the study where the majority had taken at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (79%) and almost a tenth were planning to do so (10%) or did not want to take the vaccine (11%). Compared to those who knew family members or friends affected by COVID-19, those who did not know anyone infected with (AOR = 3.20), hospitalized for (AOR = 3.60), or died of COVID-19 (AOR = 2.97) had statistically significantly higher odds of refusing the vaccines. Most strategies for reducing COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy focus on highlighting the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines. We suggest that the dangers of not getting the vaccine should also be emphasized as many people who do not know someone who was affected with COVID-19 are also hesitant towards vaccination. These individuals may not fully appreciate the morbidity and mortality impact of COVID-19 infections and the messaging can be tailored to highlight the risk of not having vaccines.

Suggested Citation

  • Jagdish Khubchandani & Sushil Sharma & James H. Price & Michael J. Wiblishauser & Fern J. Webb, 2021. "COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortality in Social Networks: Does It Influence Vaccine Hesitancy?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-6, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9448-:d:630813
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    Cited by:

    1. Mirko Duradoni & Mustafa Can Gursesli & Letizia Materassi & Elena Serritella & Andrea Guazzini, 2022. "The Long-COVID Experience Changed People’s Vaccine Hesitancy but Not Their Vaccination Fear," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.

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