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Information and vaccine hesitancy: the role of broadband Internet

Author

Listed:
  • Sofia Amaral-Garcia

    (European Commission - Joint Research Center, i3health/Universite libre de Bruxelles)

  • Mattia Nardotto

    (ECARES - Universite libre de Bruxelles, CEPR and CESifo)

  • Carol Propper

    (Imperial College London, Monash University, CEPR and IFS)

  • Tommaso Valletti

    (Imperial College London, CEPR and CESifo)

Abstract

We study the effect of internet diffusion on the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for children in England between 2000 and 2011. OLS estimates suggest that internet diffusion led to an increase in vaccinations but this result is reversed once we instrument for internet access. We find that the effect of internet diffusion on vaccination rates is sizable: a change of one standard deviation in internet take up determined an approximately 20% decrease in vaccination rate. We also find that areas with a higher proportion of high skilled individuals and lower deprivation levels are those with a higher response to internet diffusion in terms of the reduction in MMR vaccination rates. These findings are consistent with higher skilled and less deprived parents responding faster to false information circulated at the time that the vaccine could lead to autism. Even though this information has been proven to be wrong, these parents were those absorbing it more.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Amaral-Garcia & Mattia Nardotto & Carol Propper & Tommaso Valletti, 2023. "Information and vaccine hesitancy: the role of broadband Internet," Papers 2023-04, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University.
    • Handle: RePEc:mhe:chemon:2023-04
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    MMR vaccines; vaccine hesitancy; broadband internet; misinfromation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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