On the benefits of explaining herd immunity in vaccine advocacy
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On the benefits of explaining herd immunity in vaccine advocacy. / Betsch, Cornelia; Böhm, Robert; Korn, Lars; Holtmann, Cindy.
I: Nature Human Behaviour, Bind 1, 0056, 03.2017.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - On the benefits of explaining herd immunity in vaccine advocacy
AU - Betsch, Cornelia
AU - Böhm, Robert
AU - Korn, Lars
AU - Holtmann, Cindy
PY - 2017/3
Y1 - 2017/3
N2 - Most vaccines protect both the vaccinated individual and the community at large by building up herd immunity. Even though reaching disease-specific herd immunity thresholds is crucial for eliminating or eradicating certain diseases1,2, explanation of this concept remains rare in vaccine advocacy3. An awareness of this social benefit makes vaccination not only an individual but also a social decision. Although knowledge of herd immunity can induce prosocial vaccination in order to protect others, it can also invite free-riding, in which individuals profit from the protection provided by a well-vaccinated society without contributing to herd immunity themselves. This cross-cultural experiment assesses whether people will be more or less likely to be vaccinated when they know more about herd immunity. Results show that in cultures that focus on collective benefits, vaccination willingness is generally higher. Communicating the concept of herd immunity improved willingness to vaccinate, especially in cultures lacking this prosocial cultural background. Prosocial nudges can thus help to close these immunity gaps.
AB - Most vaccines protect both the vaccinated individual and the community at large by building up herd immunity. Even though reaching disease-specific herd immunity thresholds is crucial for eliminating or eradicating certain diseases1,2, explanation of this concept remains rare in vaccine advocacy3. An awareness of this social benefit makes vaccination not only an individual but also a social decision. Although knowledge of herd immunity can induce prosocial vaccination in order to protect others, it can also invite free-riding, in which individuals profit from the protection provided by a well-vaccinated society without contributing to herd immunity themselves. This cross-cultural experiment assesses whether people will be more or less likely to be vaccinated when they know more about herd immunity. Results show that in cultures that focus on collective benefits, vaccination willingness is generally higher. Communicating the concept of herd immunity improved willingness to vaccinate, especially in cultures lacking this prosocial cultural background. Prosocial nudges can thus help to close these immunity gaps.
U2 - 10.1038/s41562-017-0056
DO - 10.1038/s41562-017-0056
M3 - Journal article
VL - 1
JO - Nature Human Behaviour
JF - Nature Human Behaviour
SN - 2397-3374
M1 - 0056
ER -
ID: 241309867