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Acceptance and Adherence to COVID-19 Vaccination—The Role of Cognitive and Emotional Representations

Author

Listed:
  • Simão Pinho

    (Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
    São João University Hospital Center, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Mariana Cruz

    (Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Cláudia Camila Dias

    (CINTESIS@RISE, MEDCIDS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
    Knowledge Management Unit and Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • José M. Castro-Lopes

    (Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Rute Sampaio

    (Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
    CINTESIS@RISE, MEDCIDS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Vaccine hesitation is a topic of utmost importance, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a clear reminder of its timeliness. Besides evaluating COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in a sample of Portuguese people, this study aims at understanding cognitive and emotional representations related to vaccination, and their influence on vaccination hesitation. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 27 December 2020 and 27 January 2021. It assessed cognitive and emotional COVID-19 representations; vaccination status; cognitive and emotional representations of vaccination and perceived necessity and concerns about vaccines. Of 31 × 58 participants, 91% accepted taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Among several other significant findings, women (71.3%) more often considered that the pandemic affected their lives ( p < 0.001) and were more often concerned with being infected ( p < 0.001). Likewise, there were significantly more female participants concerned about taking a COVID-19 vaccine and its possible effects, when compared to the number of male participants ( p < 0.001). The number of participants with a higher education level that were more worried about becoming infected was greater ( p = 0.001), when compared with those less educated. Regarding age groups, people aged 18 to 24 had fewer concerned participants (9.6%), while the number of individuals aged 55 to 64 had the most ( p < 0.001). Somewhat surprisingly, perceiving oneself as extremely informed about COVID-19 was not associated with greater vaccine acceptance (OR = 1.534 [1.160–2.029]; ( p = 0.003)). Moreover, people aged 25 to 64 years old and with lower education level were more likely not to accept vaccination (OR = 2.799 [1.085–7.221]; ( p = 0.033)). Finally, being more concerned about taking a vaccine lowers its acceptance (OR = 4.001 [2.518–6.356]; ( p < 0.001)). Cognitive and emotional representations have a great impact and are reliable predictors of vaccine acceptance. Thus, it is of extreme importance that public health messages be adapted to the different characteristics of the population.

Suggested Citation

  • Simão Pinho & Mariana Cruz & Cláudia Camila Dias & José M. Castro-Lopes & Rute Sampaio, 2022. "Acceptance and Adherence to COVID-19 Vaccination—The Role of Cognitive and Emotional Representations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9268-:d:874739
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