Dynamics of Trust and Consumption of COVID-19 Information Implicate a Mechanism for COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Uptake

Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant barrier to achieving herd immunity and preventing the further spread of COVID-19. Understanding contributors to vaccine hesitancy and how they change over time may improve COVID-19 mitigation strategies and public health policies. To date, no mechanism explains how trust in and consumption of different sources of information affect vaccine uptake. A total of 1594 adults enrolled in our COVID-19 testing program completed standardized surveys on demographics, vaccination status, use, reliance, and trust in sources of COVID-19 information, from September to October 2021, during the COVID-19 Delta wave. Of those, 802 individuals (50.3%) completed a follow-up survey, from January to February 2022, during the Omicron-wave. Regression analyses were performed to understand contributors to vaccine and booster uptake over time. Individuals vaccinated within two months of eligibility (early vaccinees) tended to have more years of schooling, with greater trust in and consumption of official sources of COVID-19 information, compared to those who waited 3–6 months (late vaccinees), or those who remained unvaccinated at 6 months post-eligibility (non-vaccinees). Most (70.1%) early vaccinees took the booster shot, compared to only 30.5% of late vaccinees, with the latter group gaining trust and consumption of official information after four months. These data provide the foundation for a mechanism based on the level of trust in and consumption of official information sources, where those who increased their level of trust in and consumption of official information sources were more likely to receive a booster. This study shows that social factors, including education and individual-level degree of trust in (and consumption of) sources of COVID-19 information, interact and change over time to be associated with vaccine and booster uptakes. These results are critical for the development of effective public health policies and offer insights into hesitancy over the course of the COVID-19 vaccine and booster rollout.

A Systematic Review on Sociodemographic, Financial and Psychological Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Hesitancy among Adult Population

“…Shyam Raman et al [ 39 ], Kavita Batra et al [ 19 ], Tesfaye Yadete et al [ 17 ], and Neil G Bennett et al [ 20 ] showed that Republicans expressed greater VBH than Democrats. Ruben Juarez et al [ 52 ]’s study underlines lack of faith in official information and sources significantly aggravated VBH. However, Marine Paridans et al [ 40 ] stated that hesitant groups in their study were not aligned with the vaccination plan.…”

Change in intention and hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccines in a cohort of adults in Quebec during the pandemic

“…A study conducted in the United States (US) identified that individual-level degree of trust in (and consumption of) sources of COVID-19 information changed over time and were associated with COVID-19 initial series and booster uptakes. 10 Another US study found that political conservatism, male gender, lower level of education and low income were associated with low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. 11 A study among caregivers of patients showed that increased care burden may lead to lower COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.…”

Factors Associated With Marshallese and Hispanic Adults’ Willingness to Receive a COVID-19 Booster Dose

“…[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] A recent study found that participants (n = 1594) who increased their trust in and consumption of official information sources, like healthcare providers and public health officials, were more likely to get a COVID-19 booster. 37 Our qualitative findings underscore how essential including recommendations to get a COVID-19 booster from trusted sources in health messaging and educational campaigns may be for increasing booster uptake.…”