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Pre-pandemic Cognitive Function and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Cohort Study
G David Batty1, Ian J Deary2, Chloe Fawns-Ritchie3
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK.
Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|April 1, 2021
Summary
Individuals with lower cognitive function scores were more likely to be vaccine-hesitant for COVID-19 vaccines. This association persisted even after adjusting for health and education, suggesting a potential link to increased disease burden.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy are known, but the role of cognitive function remains unexplored.
- The development of vaccines like the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine prompted public discussion and decision-making regarding inoculation.
Approach:
- Utilized individual-level data from the COVID Survey and Understanding Society (Main Survey) with 11,740 participants.
- Collected data on vaccine intentionality in November/December 2020, post-vaccine announcement.
- Assessed pre-pandemic general cognitive function using a battery of six tests from the 2011/12 Main Survey wave.
Key Points:
- 17.2% of participants reported vaccine hesitancy.
- Lower baseline cognitive function scores were significantly associated with increased odds of vaccine hesitancy (OR per SD lower score: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.62, 1.90).
- This association remained significant even after adjusting for health status and demographic factors, with partial attenuation upon controlling for educational attainment (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.37, 1.67).
Conclusions:
- Lower cognitive function is linked to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
- This finding suggests a potential for increased disease burden in populations with lower cognitive function.
- The study highlights the need to consider cognitive factors in public health messaging regarding vaccination.
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