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Online on the frontline: A longitudinal social media analysis of UK healthcare workers’ attitudes to COVID-19 vaccines using the 5C framework

Author

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  • Déom, Noémie
  • Vanderslott, Samantha
  • Kingori, Patricia
  • Martin, Sam

Abstract

This paper explores vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the UK, where different COVID-19 vaccines were being rolled out through a national vaccination campaign from 2020 to 2022, consisting of a first and second dose programme. Through a mixed-method approach using qualitative discourse analysis and network analysis of Twitter data, we assessed HCW perceptions and views about the administration and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in the United Kingdom (UK). We were also interested in exploring HCWs' personal experiences and attitudes towards taking COVID-19 vaccines themselves. We drew upon sociology, ethics, communication studies and used research methods concentrating on social media and media analysis. By employing the ‘5C framework’ of ‘confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility’ we evaluated a longitudinal selection of tweets to capture relevant factors driving vaccination views and behaviours among HCWs. We found differing positions expressed about COVID-19 vaccines and policy during the first dose compared with the second, through a drop in confidence compounded by supply and access issues, as well the news of a vaccine mandate for HCWs by the UK government in 2021. HCWs asked calculation questions to the community or brought forward competing pieces of information about vaccine policy and guidelines. Constraint levels in access issues were noted, especially for those with work and caregiving responsibilities, and student nurses found they did not have equal vaccination access. HCWs also displayed collective responsibility on social platforms to both encourage vaccination and express concerns through the organisation of social action against vaccine mandates.

Suggested Citation

  • Déom, Noémie & Vanderslott, Samantha & Kingori, Patricia & Martin, Sam, 2023. "Online on the frontline: A longitudinal social media analysis of UK healthcare workers’ attitudes to COVID-19 vaccines using the 5C framework," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:339:y:2023:i:c:s0277953623006706
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116313
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sahil Loomba & Alexandre Figueiredo & Simon J. Piatek & Kristen Graaf & Heidi J. Larson, 2021. "Measuring the impact of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on vaccination intent in the UK and USA," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(3), pages 337-348, March.
    2. Motta, Matt, 2021. "Can a COVID-19 vaccine live up to Americans’ expectations? A conjoint analysis of how vaccine characteristics influence vaccination intentions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    3. Liam Wright & Alexandra Burton & Alison McKinlay & Andrew Steptoe & Daisy Fancourt, 2022. "Public opinion about the UK government during COVID-19 and implications for public health: A topic modeling analysis of open-ended survey response data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(4), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Blume, Stuart, 2006. "Anti-vaccination movements and their interpretations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 628-642, February.
    5. Forman, Rebecca & Shah, Soleil & Jeurissen, Patrick & Jit, Mark & Mossialos, Elias, 2021. "COVID-19 vaccine challenges: What have we learned so far and what remains to be done?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(5), pages 553-567.
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    1. Lee, Joyce Yi-Hui & Panteli, Niki & Lin, Jessy Chia-Yu, 2025. "Managing medical knowledge flow: Physicians’ social media actualisation practices," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 365(C).

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