Making a Decision to Take or Not to Take the COVID-19 Vaccine

Abstract

The purpose of this survey research study was to understand how information literacy and critical thinking skills might play a role in individuals' decision-making process toward taking or not taking the COVID-19 vaccine. The 106 participants, from Brazil and the United States, ranged from a spectrum of diversity in ethnicity, social and educational backgrounds, careers, and ages. Participants answered 21 closed-ended questions in a survey via electronic mail. Pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine groups ascertained that multiple resources were sought which led to informed decisions prior to choosing to inoculation or to forego the COVID-19 vaccine. The primary reasons to take the vaccine were cited as concerns for personal health and concerns for others' health. The 22 participants' central reasons for not taking the vaccine were to wait to see how the vaccine would affect others and a lack of confidence in vaccine efficacy.