Covid-19 vaccination intentions and uptake pre- and post-vaccine availability: a cross-sectional comparison of theory of planned behavior, anticipated regret, and optimistic bias

Vaccination hesitancy threatens herd immunity and reduces the chances of overcoming pandemics such as the recent Covid-19 pandemic. The present investigation looked at psychological predictors of Covid-19 vaccination intention and vaccination uptake.

Two representative Norwegian samples (collected in 2020, N = 1003, and 2022, N = 1000) filled in online questionnaires assessing variables of the theory of planned behavior (attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control) as well as optimistic bias and anticipated regret.

Results showed that these variables could explain 69% of the variance in vaccination intentions and 41% of the variance in vaccination uptake. Significant predictors in both samples include attitudes, social norms within the family, perceived behavioral capability, and higher anticipated regret for not getting vaccinated. Intentions were also predicted by lower anticipated regret for getting vaccinated, and vaccination uptake was additionally predicted by older age and lower perceived behavioral autonomy. Optimistic bias did not predict intentions to get vaccinated or vaccination uptake.

Interventions designed to increase vaccination uptake should focus on attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, anticipated regret, and possibly altruistic motivations.