The Influence of Information Source on COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy and Motivation for Self-Protective Behavior

This study examined the influence of health information sources on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and other motivations for self-protective behavior. Based on the protection motivation theory, the study focused on threat appraisal factors (risk perception and perceived severity), response efficacy, and health information sources (media and interpersonal channels) as predictors for vaccine efficacy and self-protective behavior. Data were gathered in Kenya through a self-administered survey (n = 715) that was conducted at the pick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that media sources (newspapers, radio, television, internet, and telephone) were viewed as more useful compared to interpersonal sources (health professionals, family, friends, and other personal influencers) for COVID-19-related information. Additionally, media sources influenced risk perception, perceived severity, response efficacy, vaccine efficacy, and self-protective behavior. Interpersonal sources were also correlated with perceived severity and response efficacy, and self-protective behavior but did not influence vaccine efficacy. The study suggests exploring the use of media and other digital sources including mobile phones to enhance threat appraisal and promote vaccine efficacy among other motivations for self-protection behavior in future pandemics or disease outbreaks, especially in resource-poor settings.