The Impact of Manufacturing Origin on Covid-19 Vaccine Perceptions: A Vignette Study from Türkiye

Abstract

Public perceptions and preferences regarding vaccination are
crucial for shaping pandemic response strategies. Rapid COVID-
-19 vaccination was viewed as the only way to end the pande-
mic. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional vignette study
in Türkiye using five online surveys to assess participants' per-
ceptions of vaccine efficacy based on different countries of ori-
gin. We then used standard mean comparison tests and (or-
dered) logistic regressions to provide evidence for the country-of-
-origin bias of the COVID-19 vaccines. 1615 participants
answered our five surveys. Even though the two vaccines are
reported to have the same efficacy, participants' subjective
evaluation of the vaccine's efficacy and their willingness to get
vaccinated are significantly higher when the vaccine originates
from Germany rather than from China. Our findings show that
the manufacturing origin of vaccines significantly influences
perceptions, with people having a bias or preference towards
vaccines originating from a particular source despite equal ef-
ficacy. More importantly, however, even though a vaccine has a
higher efficacy, it may not be the preferred choice of individuals
due to its source of origin. Public health officials should note this
bias, as vaccination rates play a critical role in pandemic control.