The HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences Institute for Sociology cordially invites you to

The characteristics of COVID-19 vaccine discussion networks and the potential protective factors from negative interpersonal influence

 

Lecturers: Fruzsina Albert (HUN-REN CSS); Zoltán Brys (HUN-REN CSS)

Authors:: Mercédesz Gerdán (HUN-REN CSS); Beáta Dávid  (HUN-REN CSS)

Discussants:  Endre Sik (HUN-REN CSS); Anna Sára Ligeti (HUN-REN CSS RECENS)

Date: 21 March 2024, 1 pm 

Venue: Centre for Social Sciences Institute for Sociology, 1097 Budapest, Tóth Kálmán utca 4. Room B1.15 

Online: Zoom link: 

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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86272465572?pwd=TDHRplfFVtZVAAgi1nMPgyz2XOovOi.1

Meeting ID: 862 7246 5572

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Abstract:

Illnesses or their threat are not experienced in a vacuum but in the context of a network of people with whom we discuss health-related issues. It is important to learn about relevant peers who influence COVID-19 vaccine related decisions and to explore the protective factors against negative interpersonal social influence so as to decrease vaccine hesitancy and help achieve herd immunity.

Polarisation was detected in the COVID-19 vaccine discussion network. The ratio of alters with tertiary education, the ratio of health professional alters and the ratio of vaccinated alters is lower among those who refused COVID-19 vaccination. They also had lower scores on both the health knowledge and the social-norm espousal scales. Our multivariate analysis identified four negative correlates of COVID-19 vaccination refusal: at least one influenza inoculation in the past, the ratio of vaccinated alters among COVID-19 vaccine discussion partners, health knowledge level and social-norm  espousal. These effects were also confirmed among those who had at least one unvaccinated alter.