Social and psychological factors underlying adult vaccination behavior: lessons from seasonal influenza vaccination in the US and the UK

Abstract

This article reviews the evidence base on the social and psychological factors that facilitate or hinder vaccination among adults. The authors categorized these factors into eight themes: social influence, disease-related factors, vaccine-related factors, habit, general attitudes toward health and vaccines, awareness and knowledge, practical barriers and motivators and altruism. Although there were many commonalities between both settings, the authors also indentifiedimportant differences. A better understanding of social and psychological aspects of vaccination across contexts and vaccines remains a priority.

Keywords::

• adult
• behavioral
• influenza
• psychological
• social
• UK
• US
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

A Wheelock and N Sevdalis are funded by an unrestricted research grant by Sanofi Pasteur and also by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), via the Imperial College’s Patient Safety Translational Research Centre (www.cpssq.org). A Thomson is employed by Sanofi Pasteur. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health or Sanofi Pasteur. The funders do not have any editorial control over the work reported in this article. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.