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Herding and the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19

Author

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  • Epstein, Gil S.
  • Heizler, Odelia
  • Israeli, Osnat

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of herd behavior, or information cascades, on the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We use the 2021/2022 wave of the European Social Survey combined with data from the organization Our World in Data and measure the herding behavior as the change in the share of vaccinated people in the population just prior to the individual's decision. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, health status, COVID- 19 illness history, and pandemic-related features, the results show that the information cascade significantly increases vaccination intentions. This suggests that the decision on whether to vaccinate is affected by the behavior of others. Moreover, we find a U-shaped association between the herd effect and the share of the population that is vaccinated. Finally, the herd effect on the vaccination decisions of young people, people in poor health, and immigrants is higher than for others.

Suggested Citation

  • Epstein, Gil S. & Heizler, Odelia & Israeli, Osnat, 2025. "Herding and the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1578, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1578
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Angerer, Silvia & Glätzle-Rützler, Daniela & Lergetporer, Philipp & Rittmannsberger, Thomas, 2023. "How does the vaccine approval procedure affect COVID-19 vaccination intentions?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    2. Kairiza, Terrence & Kembo, George & Chigusiwa, Lloyd, 2023. "Herding behavior in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in rural Zimbabwe: The moderating role of health information under heterogeneous household risk perceptions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
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    5. Richard A. Easterlin & Kelsey J. O’Connor, 2023. "Three years of COVID-19 and life satisfaction in Europe: A macro view," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 120(19), pages 2300717120-, May.
    6. Luis Á. Hierro & David Patiño & Pedro Atienza & Antonio J. Garzón & David Cantarero, 2023. "The effect of altruism on COVID-19 vaccination rates," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    7. Demirer, Riza & Kutan, Ali M. & Chen, Chun-Da, 2010. "Do investors herd in emerging stock markets?: Evidence from the Taiwanese market," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 76(2), pages 283-295, November.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Herd Behavior; COVID-19; Vaccination; European Social Survey; Information Cascades;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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