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Social expectations and government incentives in Malaysia’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake

Author

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  • N Izzatina Abdul Aziz
  • Sam Flanders
  • Melati Nungsari

Abstract

High vaccination rates are integral to reducing infection and severity rates of COVID-19 infections within a community. We examine the role of social expectations in COVID-19 vaccination take-ups and its interaction with potential government actions in Malaysia. We find that individuals’ expectations of others in their social groups towards vaccination predicts those individuals’ vaccination registrations. Using a vignette experiment, we examine the extent of normative expectations in normalizing pro-vaccination behavior beyond an individual’s reference group. We find that unless moderated by a high level of public trust, individuals prefer punitive policies as a way to increase vaccination rates in their communities.

Suggested Citation

  • N Izzatina Abdul Aziz & Sam Flanders & Melati Nungsari, 2022. "Social expectations and government incentives in Malaysia’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(9), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0275010
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Jelnov, Artyom & Jelnov, Pavel, 2022. "Vaccination policy and trust," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    4. Erin L. Krupka & Roberto A. Weber, 2013. "Identifying Social Norms Using Coordination Games: Why Does Dictator Game Sharing Vary?," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 11(3), pages 495-524, June.
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