Debunking Misinformation and Communicating Critical Events in Vaccine Trials
Experimental Evidence on Vaccination Intentions in SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2022.204Keywords:
vaccine confidence, vaccination intention, willingness to participate in a vaccine trial, misinformation, debunkingAbstract
Misinformation and media reports about critical events in vaccine trials challenge public confidence in Covid-19 vaccine safety. Three online experiments using 2×2 between-subjects designs examined the impact of vaccine type, misinformation debunking, and critical events during vaccine trials. In Experiment 1, N = 984 participants received information about different vaccines and misinformation was debunked. In Experiment 2, N = 1,018 participants were informed about different vaccines and trial discontinuation. In Experiment 3, N = 1,006 participants received information about discontinuation and questionable research practices of a manufacturer. The main dependent variables were confidence in vaccine safety, vaccination intention, and willingness to participate in a vaccine trial. Debunking increased vaccination intention and confidence (both η2p = .01) which was partly higher for classical than for new vaccines (η2p = .01). Information about discontinuation had no effect, but having heard about it before had benefits. Information about questionable research practices decreased confidence ( η2p = .01) and vaccination intention ( η2p = .02) regarding the target vaccine but did not affect other vaccines. Confidence (β = .47) was most strongly associated with willingness to participate in vaccine trials. Critical events in vaccine trials should be communicated transparently to increase confidence, trial participation, and vaccination intentions.
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Copyright (c) 2022 Paula Memenga, Sarah Eitze, Parichehr Shamsrizi, Marylyn M. Addo, Cornelia Betsch

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