CHOICE OF BEHAVIORAL STRATEGY REGARDING VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19

This study aims to research of people’s behavior strategies in a pandemic situation. A sample of the study consists of immunological clinic` patients. Method: Study (N=62) attended by respondents aged 19 to 76 years (M=35; SD=14.89), 50% are vaccinated against COVID-19, and 50% wanted to get a medical exemption from vaccination. We used the author’s questionnaire with scaled answers about coronavirus awareness, vaccination and immunity, Budner’s Scale of Tolerance – Intolerance of Ambiguity, the questionnaire “Locus of disease control” (Tkhostov&Bevz, 1998). Results: no statistically significant differences were found between vaccinated and unvaccinated in terms of tolerance to uncertainty. The internal locus of disease control prevails in the sample, but the group of vaccinated was statistically significantly more likely to shift responsibility to others. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated participants differed in their perceptions of COVID-19 and strategies of behavior in a pandemic situation. The first are inclined to more radical (medical) ways of preventing infection and rely more on the opinions of other people; the second hope for the ability of their immunity to resist infection. Conclusions: the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 is related to perceptions of a pandemic, but is not related to the level of tolerance to uncertainty and the locus of disease control.