Vaccine Hesitancy in Public Healthcare During Pandemics: An International Study to Inform Management Learning

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Management Science
• Sociology

Background:

• Explores vaccine hesitancy using a management learning perspective in public healthcare during pandemics.
• Addresses the need for qualitative insights into academic uncertainties and ambivalence regarding COVID-19 vaccination.
• Examines healthcare systems, governance, and community trust to understand vaccine hesitancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To deepen the understanding of vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic from a management learning viewpoint.
• To analyze the role of academic insights in navigating public health challenges related to vaccination.
• To investigate the interplay between healthcare systems, governance, and community trust in vaccination efforts.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative approach utilizing a multidisciplinary research network.
• Open-ended questionnaire administered to 27 scholars from 17 countries (May-July 2021).
• Hermeneutical framework with thematic analysis of textual data.

Main Results:

• Identified key themes: information/disinformation, social inclusion/exclusion, trust/distrust, individual liberties/collective constraints.
• National actions significantly shape public discourse and political responses to vaccination.
• Historical and political factors critically influence public health policies and vaccine hesitancy perceptions.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 crisis has strained trust in public health institutions, necessitating a management learning approach.
• Fostering collaborative learning and stakeholder engagement can enhance public health responsiveness and build community trust.
• Embracing a comprehensive understanding of vaccination complexities is vital for effective public health management.