Planning for a COVID-19 vaccination campaign in New Zealand: trust, affective and cognitive attitudes, and COVID-19 vaccine intention

ABSTRACT Building public trust and willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 is as important as developing a safe and effective vaccine to contain the pandemic. Based on the theory of planned behaviour and trust heuristic, this study tests factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination intentions using a national sample survey of the New Zealand public (N = 1040). Results show that while trust in health experts, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and mass media are significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine intention, affective attitude, and cognitive attitude partly mediate this relationship. Findings can help inform theory and practice of health campaigns to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Trusted sources communicating information that addresses prevailing vaccine concerns are likely to increase public enthusiasm for COVID-19 vaccination.