Anticipation of COVID-19 vaccines reduces willingness to socially distance.
J Health Econ
; 80: 102530, 2021 12.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1437505
ABSTRACT
We investigate how the anticipation of COVID-19 vaccines affects voluntary social distancing. In a large-scale preregistered survey experiment with a representative sample, we study whether providing information about the safety, effectiveness, and availability of COVID-19 vaccines affects the willingness to comply with public health guidelines. We find that vaccine information reduces peoples' voluntary social distancing, adherence to hygiene guidelines, and their willingness to stay at home. Getting positive information on COVID-19 vaccines induces people to believe in a swifter return to normal life. The results indicate an important behavioral drawback of successful vaccine development An increased focus on vaccines can lower compliance with public health guidelines and accelerate the spread of infectious disease. The results imply that, as vaccinations roll out and the end of a pandemic feels closer, policies aimed at increasing social distancing will be less effective, and stricter policies might be required.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Vaccines
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Health Econ
Journal subject:
Hospitals
/
Health Services
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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