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Addressing vaccine hesitancy using local ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial in Indonesia

Author

Listed:
  • Islam, Asad
  • Kusnadi, Gita
  • Rezki, Jahen
  • Sim, Armand
  • van Empel, Giovanni
  • Vlassopoulos, Michael
  • Zenou, Yves

Abstract

In settings where resistance and rampant misinformation against vaccines exist, the prospect of containing infectious diseases remains a challenge. Can delivery of information regarding the benefits of vaccination through personal home visits by local ambassadors increase vaccine uptake? We conduct a door-to-door randomized information campaign targeted towards COVID-19 unvaccinated individuals in rural Indonesia. We recruited ambassadors from local villages tasked to deliver information about COVID-19 vaccines and promote vaccination through one-on-one meetings, using an interpersonal behavioral change communication approach. To investigate which type of ambassador – health cadres, influential individuals, and laypersons – is the most effective, we randomly vary the type of ambassador that delivers the information at the village level. We find that the overall vaccination take-up is quite moderate and that there are no differences in vaccination outcomes across the treatment groups. These results highlight the challenge of boosting vaccine uptake in late stages of a pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Islam, Asad & Kusnadi, Gita & Rezki, Jahen & Sim, Armand & van Empel, Giovanni & Vlassopoulos, Michael & Zenou, Yves, 2024. "Addressing vaccine hesitancy using local ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial in Indonesia," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:163:y:2024:i:c:s0014292124000126
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104683
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Misinformation; Health behaviors; Vaccine hesitancy; Indonesia; COVID-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

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