Predictors of Intention to Vaccinate Against COVID-19: Results of a Nationwide Survey

Ruiz, Jeanette B.; Bell, Robert A.

Background Public polling indicates that vaccine uptake will be suboptimal when COVID-19 vaccines become available. Formative research seeking an understanding of weak vaccination intentions is urgently needed. Methods Nationwide online survey of 804 U.S. English-speaking adults. Compensated participants were recruited from the U.S. through an internet survey panel of 2.5 million residents developed by a commercial survey firm. Recruitment was based on quota sampling to produce a U.S. Census-matched sample representative of the nation with regard to region of residence, sex, and age. Results COVID-19 vaccination intentions were weak, with 14.8% of respondents being unlikely to get vaccinated and another 23.0% unsure. Intent to vaccinate was highest for men, older people, individuals who identified as white and non-Hispanic, the affluent and college-educated, Democrats, those who were married or partnered, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and those vaccinated against influenza during the 2019-2020 flu season. In a multiple linear regression, significant predictors of vaccination intent were general vaccine knowledge (β=.311, p <.001), rejection of vaccine conspiracies (β=-.117, p =.003), perceived severity of COVID-19 (β=.273, p <.001), influenza vaccine uptake (β=.178, p <.001), having ≥ 5 pre-existing conditions (β=.098, p =.003), being male (β=.119, p <.001), household income of ≥ $120,000 (β=.110, p =.004), identifying as a Democrat (β=.075, p <.029), and not relying upon social media for virus information (β=-.090, p <002). Intent to vaccinate was lower for Fox News (57.3%) than CNN/MSNBC viewers (76.4%) (χ2(1)=12.68, p <.001). Political party differences in threat appraisals and vaccine conspiracy beliefs are described. Conclusions Demographic characteristics, vaccine knowledge, perceived vulnerability to COVID-19, risk factors for COVID-19, and politics likely contribute to vaccination hesitancy.