Debunking Misinformation and Communicating Critical Events in Vaccine Trials

Experimental Evidence on Vaccination Intentions in SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Authors

  • Paula Memenga Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5067-0430
  • Sarah Eitze Department of Media and Communication Science, University of Erfurt, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6542-9359
  • Parichehr Shamsrizi Division of Infectious Diseases, 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department for Clinical Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0376-0967
  • Marylyn M. Addo Division of Infectious Diseases, 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department for Clinical Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
  • Cornelia Betsch Department of Media and Communication Science, University of Erfurt, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2022.204

Keywords:

vaccine confidence, vaccination intention, willingness to participate in a vaccine trial, misinformation, debunking

Abstract

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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Published

22.09.2022

How to Cite

Memenga, P., Eitze, S., Shamsrizi, P., Addo, M. M., & Betsch, C. (2022). Debunking Misinformation and Communicating Critical Events in Vaccine Trials: Experimental Evidence on Vaccination Intentions in SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. European Journal of Health Communication, 3(2), 64–96. https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2022.204

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2022): Special Issue on Mis- and Disinformation About Covid-19: Challenges for Health Communication

Section

Original Research Paper

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Paula Memenga, Sarah Eitze, Parichehr Shamsrizi, Marylyn M. Addo, Cornelia Betsch

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