Explaining COVID‐19 Vaccine Uptake: A Spatial Sociodemographic Study in Turkey

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccines have so far been the most powerful weapon in the current pandemic, yet many people still show hesitancy towards them. This paper is one of the first studies that examine the factors affecting the COVID-19 vaccine uptake decision from a spatial perspective in Turkey. The study setting allows us to specify the spatial effects that are influential in this decision without which the true nature of the association between vaccination rates and various socio-economic factors can be determined. Our findings reveal the existence of global spatial interactions in vaccination rates. In addition, age, the level of conservatism, and low education levels show spillovers that amplify their total effects on vaccination rates. © 2023 The Authors. Papers in Regional Science © 2023 Regional Science Association International.