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The Impact of Health Information Exposure and Source Credibility on COVID-19 Vaccination Intention in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Volker Gehrau

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Sam Fujarski

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Hannah Lorenz

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Carla Schieb

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Bernd Blöbaum

    (Department of Communication, University of Muenster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

Abstract

Due to the novelty and high transmission rate of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), direct medical countermeasures are urgently needed. Among actions against the further outbreak of COVID-19, vaccination has been considered as a chief candidate. However, the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has led to concern about their safety and thus to public vaccine hesitancy. Strategic heath communication channels, which are widely used and highly trusted, can contribute to more effective promotions of vaccination intention and to the reduction of misleading information about COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between the exposure to and credibility of different health information sources and the COVID-19 vaccination intention among 629 German adults. Descriptive statistical analysis and multiple linear regressions are employed to examine the research questions. Results reveal that, aside from reliable information from experts and health authorities, local newspapers also have a positive impact on COVID-19 vaccination intention. However, this effect diminishes to some extent when age is considered. In addition, alternative information sources pose a noticeable threat to COVID-19 vaccination intention. Therefore, a close cooperation between healthcare experts, health authorities, and mass media with regard to information dissemination is conducive for vaccination campaigns and for the fight against misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccines.

Suggested Citation

  • Volker Gehrau & Sam Fujarski & Hannah Lorenz & Carla Schieb & Bernd Blöbaum, 2021. "The Impact of Health Information Exposure and Source Credibility on COVID-19 Vaccination Intention in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4678-:d:544913
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Steger & Arissa Fitch-Martin & Jena Donnelly & Kathryn Rickard, 2015. "Meaning in Life and Health: Proactive Health Orientation Links Meaning in Life to Health Variables Among American Undergraduates," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 583-597, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hein de Vries & Wouter Verputten & Christian Preissner & Gerjo Kok, 2022. "COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: The Role of Information Sources and Beliefs in Dutch Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Jarosław Drobnik & Robert Susło & Piotr Pobrotyn & Ewa Fabich & Violetta Magiera & Dorota Diakowska & Izabella Uchmanowicz, 2021. "COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers in the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Osnat Roth-Cohen & Shalom Levy & Avi Zigdon, 2021. "The Mediated Role of Credibility on Information Sources and Patient Awareness toward Patient Rights," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Soledad García-García & Raquel Rodríguez-Díaz, 2023. "Official Information on Twitter during the Pandemic in Spain," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Ruoheng Liu & Yi-Hui Christine Huang & Jie Sun & Jennifer Lau & Qinxian Cai, 2022. "A Shot in the Arm for Vaccination Intention: The Media and the Health Belief Model in Three Chinese Societies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-17, March.
    6. Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez & Eduardo Navarro-Jiménez & Juan Antonio Simón-Sanjurjo & Ana Isabel Beltran-Velasco & Carmen Cecilia Laborde-Cárdenas & Juan Camilo Benitez-Agudelo & Álvaro Bustamante-, 2022. "Mis–Dis Information in COVID-19 Health Crisis: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-24, April.
    7. Xiaodong Yang & Lai Wei & Zhiyue Liu, 2022. "Promoting COVID-19 Vaccination Using the Health Belief Model: Does Information Acquisition from Divergent Sources Make a Difference?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, March.

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