Vaccine Trust Gauge: Mixed methods research to measure and understand vaccine trust

While trust in vaccination is one factor in the ecosystem that surrounds vaccine decision-making and acceptance, understanding its role may provide insights into effective and tailored approaches to help build individual-level vaccine confidence. The authors developed the Vaccine Trust Gauge (VTG), a scale used to measure trust in vaccines, and conducted mixed methods research to provide an in-depth understanding of the various factors shaping vaccine trust in the United States.

The VTG instrument was developed from previous and scoping research of questionnaires (Larson et al., 2018; Palmedo et al., 2021) and fielded in the US to n = 3026 adults ages ≥18. Based on survey responses, participants were segmented by vaccine trust level (low, medium, or high) through an aggregated scoring system constructed from the VTG. 65 respondents were recruited to participate in in-depth interviews or focus groups conducted by phone or video conference. A conceptual definition of vaccine trust was developed using components of the VTG scale.

Multivariate regressions found that higher levels of vaccine trust measured by the VTG are closely associated with trust in healthcare providers and trust in government. College or higher degree, Democrats, and those aged 55+ were more likely to have higher trust in vaccines compared to Black/African Americans, and those experiencing discrimination in the healthcare system. The qualitative analysis allowed the authors to add diverse, contextual elements to the vaccine trust levels summarized here.

These mixed methods findings suggest future implications for research and practice. Ideas for potential communication, policy, and public health strategies are offered to build vaccine confidence and advance uptake for COVID-19 and other vaccines.

There are diverse underlying factors that influence an individual's trust in vaccines, which means trust categories and demographic characteristics cannot be used as monolithic identifiers. Assessing vaccine trust provides insights into a foundation for engagement to promote individual-level vaccine acceptance. The authors present recommendations for the use of the VTG, future implications for research and practice, and potential strategies to build vaccine confidence.