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PreprintCited by 23Vaccine Coverage and HesitancyCOVID-19 Prevention and ImpactCommunication and COVID-19 Impact

Anticipation of COVID-19 Vaccines Reduces Social Distancing

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Andersson, Ola, Campos-Mercade, Pol, Meier, Armando, Wengström, Erik·2021·SSRN Electronic Journal
DOI 10.2139/ssrn.3765329
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Abstract

We show that the anticipation of COVID-19 vaccines reduces voluntary social distancing. In a large-scale preregistered survey experiment with a representative sample, we study whether providing information about the safety, effectiveness, and availability of COVID- 19 vaccines affects compliance with public health guidelines. We find that vaccine information reduces peoples’ voluntary social distancing, adherence to hygiene guidelines, and their willingness to stay at home. Vaccine information induces people to believe in a swifter return to normal life and puts their vigilance at ease. The results indicate an important behavioral drawback of the successful vaccine development: An increased focus on vaccines can lead to bad health behaviors and accelerate the spread of the virus. The results imply that, as vaccinations start and the end of the pandemic feels closer, existing policies aimed at increasing social distancing will be less effective and stricter policies might be required.

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Authors
Andersson, O., Campos-Mercade, P., Meier, A., & Wengström, E.
Affiliations
  • Uppsala University (SE)
  • University of Basel (CH)
  • Lund University (SE)
Corresponding author
Andersson, Ola
ORCID
Venue
SSRN Electronic Journal
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021
ISSN
1556-5068 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2139/ssrn.3765329
OpenAlex
W3145025551
Cited by
23
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 14
Type
posted content
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Econstor (Econstor) (submittedVersion)
  • Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › COVID-19 Prevention and Impact
  • Social Sciences › Communication › Communication and COVID-19 Impact
Keywords
COVID-19 vaccines, social distancing, vaccine information, public health recommendations, return to normal life, pandemic policy, virus transmission

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