THE IMPACT OF MANUFACTURING ORIGIN ON COVID-19 VACCINE PERCEPTIONS: A VIGNETTE STUDY FROM TÜRKIYE
THE IMPACT OF MANUFACTURING ORIGIN ON COVID-19 VACCINE PERCEPTIONS: A VIGNETTE STUDY FROM TÜRKIYE

Summary/Abstract: Public perceptions and preferences regarding vaccination are crucial for shaping pandemic response strategies. Rapid COVID- -19 vaccination was viewed as the only way to end the pandemic. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional vignette study in Türkiye using five online surveys to assess participants' perceptions of vaccine efficacy based on different countries of origin. We then used standard mean comparison tests and (ordered) logistic regressions to provide evidence for the country-of- -origin bias of the COVID-19 vaccines. 1615 participants answered our five surveys. Even though the two vaccines are reported to have the same efficacy, participants' subjective evaluation of the vaccine's efficacy and their willingness to get vaccinated are significantly higher when the vaccine originates from Germany rather than from China. Our findings show that the manufacturing origin of vaccines significantly influences perceptions, with people having a bias or preference towards vaccines originating from a particular source despite equal efficacy. More importantly, however, even though a vaccine has a higher efficacy, it may not be the preferred choice of individuals due to its source of origin. Public health officials should note this bias, as vaccination rates play a critical role in pandemic control.

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