Drivers of Vaccination Hesitancy: A Comparison Between German and Polish Consumers

Mass vaccination is widely considered the predominant cure for the COVID-19 Pandemic. The appearance of considerable vaccine hesitancy has led to social debate between vaccinated majorities and unvaccinated minorities in Europe. We investigate the differences between these polarized groups in two neighboring countries, i.e. Germany and Poland, by applying the Health-Belief-Model (HBM) to explain the willingness to get (re)vaccinated. Results of a multigroup SEM based (N > 1900) show that vaccine-related benefits significantly propel booster and vaccination intent in both countries whereas barriers—though unanimously negative—differ across countries. In the German sample, concerns about long-term side effects dominate while the effectiveness (insufficient protection) of the vaccines dominate in the Polish sample. Severity perception has a mediating effect between benefits and (re)vaccination intent in both countries. Unexpectedly, cues-to-action, and self-efficacy, do not show any promotional effect. The samples differ in the degree of anthroposophical mindsets (belief in self-healing capacities of the human body), which increase the negative effect of barriers on (re-)vaccination intent in Germany, but not in Poland. Inferring greater transparency is needed to make knowledge-based health decisions, restore trust in policy and social cohesion, and thus benefit consumer well-being.