Vaccine uptake is influenced by politics and socio-economics, research shows

COVID-19 vaccination rates varied significantly depending on partisanship and socioeconomic factors, with Democrats getting vaccinated faster and at higher rates than Republicans and Independents.

A study from the University of Michigan published in npj vaccines also revealed that vaccination rates were lowest among Black Americans, individuals with incomes of less than $30,000 and those with a high school education or less.

Additionally, female, Black and Hispanic respondents were less likely to get vaccinated early. At the same time, those between the ages of 45 and 65, those with postgraduate degrees, and independents and Democrats were more likely to be early adopters, according to the study, conducted in collaboration with Georgetown University.

It was found that initial late adopters were more likely to have a college degree but less likely to be parents, with an average delay of three and a half months between early adopters and late adopters.

“Because of the influence of partisanship and distrust of government, the results suggest that public health officials should use social influencers and celebrities in their messages advocating vaccination,” said Michael Traugott, UM professor of political science and communication studies and professor emeritus of research. at the Center for Political Studies of the Institute for Social Research.

Traugott said some Pfizer commercials have used media personalities like Martha Stewart and John Legend to convey their messages.

Using a panel study with a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults interviewed three times, researchers analyzed three subpopulations: early adopters, late adopters, and nonadopters. The surveys were conducted online in three waves: June 2021, October 2021 and February 2022.

Personal safety and health concerns were the top reasons for individuals to get vaccinated. However, work requirements and desire to travel were significantly more important for late adopters than for early adopters. In contrast, late adopters and non-adopters shared different concerns, with distrust in government being more prominent among non-adopters.

The study also highlights the role of digital platforms in shaping the perception of vaccines. Early adopters showed greater exposure to pro-vaccine messages on social media, while non-adopters were more influenced by anti-vaccine content. Late adopters fell between these extremes and were exposed to a mix of pro- and anti-vaccination messages.

“There have long been questions about whether social media platforms should moderate the flow of COVID-related misinformation to encourage vaccine uptake,” said ISR researcher Josh Pasek, associate professor of communications and media. “These results indicate that individuals’ social media networks play a role in shaping vaccination beliefs and their subsequent uptake.”

The findings underscore the critical need for tailored public health interventions. They also underscore the importance of addressing demographic differences and the influence of online information environments in shaping vaccine behavior.

“As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding these factors is critical to effective public health strategies and increasing vaccine uptake across all population segments,” Traugott said.