Vaccine hesitancy and the role of qualitative research in behaviour change: a Scottish case study exploring Covid-19 vaccine concerns amongst nurses and other care staff

Abstract

Background: Despite the public health benefits of vaccination to eradicate infectious diseases, global vaccine hesitancy is a recognised public health threat (World Health Organisation, 2023). Vaccine hesitancy refers to vaccine delays or refusals despite vaccine availability. Public health efforts alone are insufficient to address vaccine hesitancy and uncertainties which are complex and context-dependent. Qualitative research in psychology has the potential to shed important behavioural insights for vaccine hesitancy in local contexts. Aim: To explore how nurses and care staff managed their own, and others’, COVID-19 vaccine uncertainties in a Scottish Context. Method: An online mixed-methods study was conducted concurrently to investigate vaccine attitudes and explore these in-depth. Qualitative online discussion groups were held with professionals and those in-training (n=10). Thematic analysis was used to inform the analysis. Findings: Most respondents were positive while 10.2% (5/49) of respondents reported being unvaccinated at the time of the study and held negative attitudes to the vaccine. The qualitative analysis identified an overarching ‘pro-vaccine’ theme which was tied to science and professional roles. Vaccine concerns were also expressed, however, in relation to informal rather than formal contexts and in the face of vulnerable groups where pro-vaccine sentiments were more cautious. Three sub-themes centred on ‘overloading the system’, protecting vulnerable groups and negotiating different vaccines. Discussion: the value of qualitative research in psychology was to offer a more nuanced perspective on vaccine hesitancy from this mixed-methods study. Behavioural insights are important to design tailored interventions which are context-dependent and which acknowledge vaccine uncertainties.

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https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/4245647/vaccine-hesitancy-and-the-role-of-qualitative-research-in-behaviour-change-a-scottish-case-study-exploring-covid-19-vaccine-concerns-amongst-nurses-and-other-care-staff