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Sibling Spillovers and the Choice to Get Vaccinated: Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity Design

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  • Humlum, Maria Knoth

    (Aarhus University)

  • Morthorst, Marius Opstrup

    (Aarhus University)

  • Thingholm, Peter Rønø

    (Aarhus University)

Abstract

We investigate the effects of the introduction of a population-wide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program on the vaccine take-up of the targeted group of 15-year-old girls and their older sisters. For identification, we rely on a regression discontinuity design and high-quality Danish administrative data to exploit that date of birth determines program eligibility. We find that the program increased the HPV vaccine take-up of both the targeted girls and their older sisters. While the direct effects of the program reduced vaccine-takeup inequality, the spillover effects, in contrast, contributed to an increase in vaccine take-up inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15109
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    Cited by:

    1. Hirani, Jonas Cuzulan & Wüst, Miriam, 2024. "Reminder design and childhood vaccination coverage," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    2. María J. Mendoza-Jiménez & Job Exel & Werner Brouwer, 2024. "On spillovers in economic evaluations: definition, mapping review and research agenda," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 25(7), pages 1239-1260, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    health investments; health behavior; peer effects; sibling spillovers; HPV; vaccine; health inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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