The main objective of this study was to examine the association between COVID-19 information search activities and vaccination intention.

Cross-sectional data were collected using online surveys. Independent variables included COVID-19 information search on the (1) science of viral effects of COVID-19 on the body, (2) origin of COVID-19, (3) symptoms and outcomes, (4) transmission and prevention, (5) future outbreak, and (6) policies/procedures to follow. The outcome variable was vaccination intention. A multivariable regression analysis was conducted.

Participants (N = 501) had a mean age of 32.44 ± 11.94 years, were 55.3% female, and 67.9% were white. Most COVID-19 information searches were on symptoms and outcomes (77.7%) and policies/procedures to follow (69.9%). Intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 was higher among participants who searched for information on the science of viral effects of COVID-19 on the body (β = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.03-0.43; P = 0.03) and policies/procedures to follow (β = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.03-0.41; P = 0.02).

People who searched for information about (1) the science of viral effects of COVID-19 and (2) policies/procedures recommendations also reported higher vaccination intention. Risk communication seeking to increase vaccination should meet the consumers’ information demand by prioritizing the scientific rationale for COVID-19 vaccination and by clarifying what policies/procedures are recommended.

Psychological factors, like general self-efficacy, optimism or subjective well-being, might further enhance the understanding of why certain people vaccinate while others do not.

To identify psychological factors associated with people’s decision to vaccinate during pandemic events.

A literature review has been made through PubMed database.

Psychology offers three general propositions for understanding and intervening to increase uptake where vaccines are available and affordable. The first proposition is that thoughts and feelings can motivate getting vaccinated. Low confidence in vaccine effectiveness and concern about safety correlate reliably with not getting vaccinated. The second proposition is that social processes can motivate getting vaccinated. Social norms are associated with vaccination. Recommendation by friends, mainstream media and social media affected vaccination intention. The third proposition is that interventions can facilitate vaccination directly by leveraging, but not trying to change, what people think and feel. To increase vaccine uptake, these interventions build on existing favorable intentions by facilitating action (through reminders, prompts, and primes) and reducing barriers (through logistics and healthy defaults); these interventions also shape behavior (through incentives, sanctions, and requirements). Perceived risk and effectiveness of the vaccine as well as trust in the government and health authorities was related to people’s vaccination intention.

There are significant associations of general individual psychological constructs with the decision to vaccinate. This may provide useful frameworks for understanding the causal mechanisms behind this relationship, which could help to develop intervention strategies to effectively promote vaccination intentions that increase vaccination rates among population.

No significant relationships.