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Inattention or reluctance? Parental responses to vaccination reminder letters

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  • Hirani, Jonas Lau-Jensen

Abstract

This paper studies non-adherence in the Danish Childhood Vaccination Program using a nationwide introduction of a vaccination reminder letter policy and administrative data from 2011–2017. First, I provide causal estimates of how the reminder letter policy affects vaccination adherence using a Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD). Second, I link parental responses to the reminder letter to parents’ causes for being non-adherent. I find that the reminder letter policy positively affects adherence. However, 72% of non-adherent parents are non-responsive to the reminder letter indicating that reluctance and not inattention is the leading cause for non-adherence. Thus, other policies beyond reminder letters – such as mandatory vaccination laws – are necessary to substantially increase vaccination coverage.

Suggested Citation

  • Hirani, Jonas Lau-Jensen, 2021. "Inattention or reluctance? Parental responses to vaccination reminder letters," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:76:y:2021:i:c:s0167629621000242
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102439
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    Cited by:

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    2. Eger, Jens & Kaplan, Lennart & Sternberg, Henrike, 2022. "How to reduce vaccination hesitancy? The relevance of evidence and its communicator," University of Göttingen Working Papers in Economics 433, University of Goettingen, Department of Economics.
    3. Humlum, Maria Knoth & Morthorst, Marius Opstrup & Thingholm, Peter Rønø, 2022. "Sibling Spillovers and the Choice to Get Vaccinated: Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity Design," IZA Discussion Papers 15109, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Blondel, Serge & Langot, François & Mueller, Judith E. & Sicsic, Jonathan, 2021. "Preferences and COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions," IZA Discussion Papers 14823, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Hirani, Jonas Cuzulan & Wüst, Miriam, 2023. "Reminder Design and Childhood Vaccination Coverage," IZA Discussion Papers 15877, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Hirani, Jonas Cuzulan & Wüst, Miriam, 2022. "Nurses and infant vaccination coverage," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 402-428.
    7. Alice Dominici and Lisen Arnheim Dahlström, 2023. "Targeting vaccine information framing to recipients’ education: a randomized trial," Economics Working Papers EUI ECO 2023/02, European University Institute.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Early-life health; Vaccinations; Preventive care; Health behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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