An Analysis of Factors Shaping Vaccine Attitudes and Behaviours in a Low-Trust Society Based on Structural Equation Modelling—The Case of Poland’s Vaccination Programme against COVID-19

Abstract

This study focuses on factors that shape vaccine attitudes and behaviours in the context of a low-trust society. Our analysis focuses on the Polish vaccination programme against COVID-19, primarily on (1) the evaluation of the information campaign, (2) trust in the institutions, (3) trust in other people, (4) attitudes toward vaccine safety and efficacy, (5) attitudes toward restrictions related to vaccination (e.g., restricted access to certain services for unvaccinated persons) and the introduction of mandatory vaccination, (6) the evaluation of the government’s actions during the pandemic, and (7) political preferences. The study was conducted with a sample of 1143 adult residents in Poland (CATI). The explanation of the factors determining the COVID-19 vaccine was based on structural equation modelling (SEM). The model showed that the declared fact of vaccination was largely determined by a positive attitude toward restrictions related to vaccination and trust in vaccines. The formation of the provaccine attitude was to an extent determined by the assessment of the government’s campaign and actions during pandemic. While institutional trust had a positive effect on support for the ruling coalition (0.56), the latter on its own had the opposite effect (−0.61) on the formation of provaccine attitude. In the group who both trust institutions and support the parties currently in power, there are more of those who simultaneously reject the restrictions and mandatory vaccination and remain sceptical about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines than those who both trust in the vaccine safety and efficacy and accept the restrictions and mandatory vaccination. This indicates that in the context of strong political polarisation, ideological affiliations may play a greater role in shaping vaccine attitudes and behaviours than institutional trust.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Immigrant, Refugee, and Nonimmigrant Children and Adolescents in Ontario, Canada

“…60 While cross-national frameworks for research on immigrant health are complex and causes for health behaviors highly context-specific, 60,61 low vaccine coverage in Eastern European immigrants and refugees is well documented. [62][63][64] A study on routine vaccine hesitancy in Eastern Europe elucidated potential factors, including conspiracy theories and reduced confidence in medical Force on Vaccine Equity were associated with successfully decreasing vaccine hesitancy. 28 Our finding of high vaccine coverage in immigrants and refugees from Southeast Asia correspond with current evidence 60 describing high confidence in vaccinations and health experts in these regions.…”

“…60 While cross-national frameworks for research on immigrant health are complex and causes for health behaviors highly context-specific, 60 , 61 low vaccine coverage in Eastern European immigrants and refugees is well documented. 62 , 63 , 64 A study on routine vaccine hesitancy in Eastern Europe elucidated potential factors, including conspiracy theories and reduced confidence in medical science and institutions, particularly if combined with low objective vaccine knowledge 65 ; these factors likely to contribute to undervaccination observed in Eastern European immigrants in our study. However for Central African immigrants, structural racism 66 and systemic discrimination against Black individuals in Canada might have catalyzed the spread of disinformation and mediated undervaccination, as described in a 2023 qualitative study by Kemei et al 67 Distinguishing factors associated with vaccine hesitancy can help to better tailor public health campaigns.…”

“…Low rates in immigrants and refugees from Eastern Europe and Central Africa were consistent with other literature, and low uptake has also been documented for citizens in the corresponding home countries . While cross-national frameworks for research on immigrant health are complex and causes for health behaviors highly context-specific, low vaccine coverage in Eastern European immigrants and refugees is well documented . A study on routine vaccine hesitancy in Eastern Europe elucidated potential factors, including conspiracy theories and reduced confidence in medical science and institutions, particularly if combined with low objective vaccine knowledge; these factors likely to contribute to undervaccination observed in Eastern European immigrants in our study.…”

To vaccinate or to isolate? Establishing which intervention leads to measurable mortality reduction during the COVID-19 Delta wave in Poland

“…The implementation of these policies, along with emerging research studies ( 7 ), gradually contributed to the development of evidence-based strategies for managing the pandemic, particularly in terms of their cost-effectiveness ( 8 ). There is evidence indicating that a consistent and successful approach to virus containment can not only save lives but also support the economy ( 9 ).…”