Vaccine hesitancy and perceived behavioral control: A meta-analysis.

Abstract Objectives The World Health Organization recognizes that vaccine hesitancy is a top threat to the public health. To address vaccine hesitancy, much research guided by behavioral theories attempted to examine factors that contribute to vaccination intentions. The current study synthesizes the summary effects of attitude, norms and perceived behavioral control on vaccination intentions. Methods We searched five databases with relevant keyword combinations without time constraints. A sample of 5149 participants was included for final analysis. Results Attitude, norms and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of vaccination intentions with attitude being the strongest. Type of recipient significantly moderated the PBC-intention relationship, while norm-intention correlations were significantly moderated by type of norm measures. Formative belief elicitation research had no moderating influences. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate clear support for the utility of theory of planned behavior in explaining vaccine hesitancy. Research is needed on how interventions can change these constructs to motivate vaccination.