Broad perspectives in understanding vaccine hesitancy and vaccine confidence: an introduction to the special issue

J Behav Med. 2023 Apr;46(1-2):1-8. doi: 10.1007/s10865-023-00397-8. Epub 2023 Feb 21.

Abstract

The World Health Organization has designated vaccine hesitancy and vaccine confidence among the most pressing issues in global health. The COVID-19 pandemic has made vaccine hesitancy and vaccine confidence particularly salient and urgent. The purpose of this special issue is to highlight a broad range of perspectives on these critical issues. We have included a total of 30 papers that address issues related to vaccine hesitancy and vaccine confidence across multiple levels of the Socio-Ecological Model. We have organized the empirical papers into the following sections: individual-level beliefs, minority health and health disparities, social media and conspiracy beliefs, and interventions. In addition to the empirical papers, three commentaries are included in this special issue.

Keywords: Conspiracy beliefs; Health disparities; Interventions; Social media; Vaccine beliefs; Vaccine confidence; Vaccine hesitancy.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Social Media*
  • Vaccination Hesitancy
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • Vaccines