Aliff Ahmad
Project Manager
on
Case Studies / Misinformation, Risk, and Confidence:
Decoding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Malaysia
Decoding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Malaysia
Misinformation, Risk, and Confidence:
Decoding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Malaysia
Issue
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, vaccines quickly emerged as the key defense against severe illness and death. Yet, despite their proven effectiveness, a barrier stood in the way—public hesitancy. In Malaysia, there was growing concern over negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine, which could threaten efforts to control the virus.
Where
Malaysia (nationwide)
Our Methodology/Approach:
To understand the roots of vaccine hesitancy, we conducted a cross-sectional study during the height of the pandemic. Our goal was to explore how misinformation, perceptions of risk, and attitudes toward the government shaped the public’s trust in COVID-19 vaccinations. We wanted to understand why some people were hesitant, and what factors might be influencing their decision to accept or reject the vaccine.
Findings:
The results were revealing. We discovered that exposure to misinformation played a major role in shaping negative attitudes toward the vaccine. The more people were exposed to false information, the more likely they were to view the vaccine with suspicion. On the other hand, when people felt that the risk of contracting COVID-19 was high, they were less likely to question the vaccine’s benefits, though they still had worries about potential long-term effects. Perhaps most importantly, we found that trust in the government was a key factor in vaccine acceptance—those who had more confidence in the government were less likely to hold negative views toward the vaccine, highlighting the role of leadership in shaping public health outcomes.
