USING NUDGE MECHANISMS IN PROMOTING VACCINATION. REVIEW OF FOREIGN STUDIES

Abstract

Immunization through vaccination is considered the most effective for the prevention of infectious diseases. There is public hesitation about vaccination; addressing this situation requires effective management strategies from the authorities. Public administrations in many countries use different ways and methods to stimulate the population, including behavioral regulation tools. The use of nudge has shown positive results in many areas and has the potential to be effective in increasing public confidence in vaccination.

There are various options for “pushing” citizens to get vaccinated. Which of them are effective? What do the data from experimental studies published in scientific journals indicate? These questions have become central in the present article. To answer them, the authors reviewed studies from Russian and international scientific databases. The analysis of research papers made it possible to combine them into groups depending on the type of Nudge studied in them: “informing, reminding, disclosing information”, “simplifying and facilitating the choice”, “appealing to social norms”. The review found that the use of Nudge had a positive effect on public perceptions of vaccination. At the same time, Nudge tools, applied not only to citizens, but also to medical workers and other stakeholders, have a certain potential.

The results of foreign experimental studies on the use of Nudge mechanisms for vaccination of the population may be useful in the development of appropriate interventions that are effective in changing the behavior of citizens, which is timely in the context of an ongoing pandemic.