Analyzing the Decision to get Flu Shot: An Empirical Study

21 Pages Posted: 9 Apr 2008 Last revised: 10 Jul 2008

See all articles by Yoshiro Tsutsui

Yoshiro Tsutsui

Kyoto Bunkyo University

Uri Benzion

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Shosh Shahrabani

Emek Yezreel College - Department of Economics

Gregory Yom Din

Tel-Hai Academic College; Open University of Israel - Department of Management and Economics

Date Written: March 2008

Abstract

Influenza vaccination has been shown to be cost effective in reducing morbidity and mortality and in decreasing work absenteeism and use of health-care resources. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors and beliefs regarding people's vaccination decision against the influenza. It was hypothesized that Health Belief Model (HBM) categories, such as severity of illness, vaccine effectiveness and side effects of the vaccine, affect the decision to get flu shot. In addition, we examined psychological effects, such as time preference, subjective probability of flu, and attitude toward risk. A questionnaire surveys was conducted in the USA, in 2004. The questions included HBM categories and the psychological effects. The results indicate that the main predictors of past immunization against influenza are: the estimated effectiveness of the vaccination, periodic blood test, perceived severity of flu illness, side effects of vaccine (negative effect), having health anxieties, and subjective probability of being infected. Based upon these results, it is recommended to enlarging people's knowledge regarding the influenza illness, its potential risks, and the potential benefits of the vaccine.

Keywords: Flu shot, Health Belief Model, Survey

JEL Classification: I12

Suggested Citation

Tsutsui, Yoshiro and Benzion, Uri and Shahrabani, Shosh and Yom Din, Gregory, Analyzing the Decision to get Flu Shot: An Empirical Study (March 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1118243 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1118243

Yoshiro Tsutsui (Contact Author)

Kyoto Bunkyo University ( email )

Senzoku-80 Makishimacho
Uji, Kyoto 611-0041
Japan

Uri Benzion

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Shosh Shahrabani

Emek Yezreel College - Department of Economics ( email )

Yezreel 19300
Israel

Gregory Yom Din

Tel-Hai Academic College ( email )

Upper Galilee
Galil Elyon, 12210
Israel

Open University of Israel - Department of Management and Economics ( email )

1 University Road
Raanana, 43107
Israel

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