Health worries, sociopolitical attitudes, or both? Prospective predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the Czech Republic

Abstract

We examined the effects of health worries and sociopolitical attitudes on subsequent COVID-19 vaccine uptake. To avoid the potential bias of cross-sectional research, we analyzed whether these variables were able to predict the vaccine uptake prospectively, that is, when measured at the beginning of the nationwide vaccination campaign. The source of data was a longitudinal quota panel of 863 (T1 March 2021) and 641 (T2 May 2022) adult citizens of the Czech Republic. Besides health worries, the survey covered distrust in politicians, submission to political authorities, and trust in people. Results showed that the likelihood of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 at T2 was higher for participants who were more worried about the impact of COVID-19 on their health and less distrustful of politicians at T1. Furthermore, a general trust in people at T1 predicted a more likely vaccine uptake at T2, while political submission had no effect. These results corroborate the roles of both health concerns and sociopolitical attitudes in COVID-19 vaccine uptake.