Addressing vaccine hesitancy using local ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial in Indonesia

Asad Islam, Gita Kusnadi, Jahen Rezki, Armand Sim, Giovanni van Empel, Michael Vlassopoulos, Yves Zenou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

In settings where resistance and rampant misinformation against vaccines exist, the prospect of containing infectious diseases remains a challenge. Can delivery of information regarding the benefits of vaccination through personal home visits by local ambassadors increase vaccine uptake? We conduct a door-to-door randomized information campaign targeted towards COVID-19 unvaccinated individuals in rural Indonesia. We recruited ambassadors from local villages tasked to deliver information about COVID-19 vaccines and promote vaccination through one-on-one meetings, using an interpersonal behavioral change communication approach. To investigate which type of ambassador – health cadres, influential individuals, and laypersons – is the most effective, we randomly vary the type of ambassador that delivers the information at the village level. We find that the overall vaccination take-up is quite moderate and that there are no differences in vaccination outcomes across the treatment groups. These results highlight the challenge of boosting vaccine uptake in late stages of a pandemic.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104683
JournalEuropean Economic Review
Volume163
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Health behaviors
  • Indonesia
  • Misinformation
  • Vaccine hesitancy

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