Improving vaccination intent among skeptics through confidence in governments' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic

Scientific evidence suggests that individuals vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines are less likely to require hospitalization, possibly lowering the burden on the healthcare system. Despite such benefits, substantial segments of the world's population remain skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines and are hesitant to take them. Even if such individuals have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines out of economic, social, or legal necessity, they may be less inclined to receive booster shots or vaccinate their offspring when such options become available. What might help reduce this hesitancy? We examined this question using nationally representative survey data across 15 developed countries (max N = 122,516). Our findings suggest that inspiring confidence in the government's handling of the pandemic is pivotal in enhancing vaccination intent among vaccine skeptics. Specifically, results from a hierarchical linear analysis showed that among vaccine skeptics, confidence in the government's management of the pandemic was associated with greater intent to (a) take COVID-19 vaccines (b) take booster shots and (c) vaccinate one's children.