A new review in Vaccines examines how financial incentives influence people’s willingness to undergo vaccination, finding that the effectiveness of financial incentives in boosting vaccination rates seems to differ significantly based on the region and context. Among the nineteen relevant articles found from the literature search, examples of financial incentives included lottery tickets and hypothetical or physical monetary rewards ranging in various amounts.
Around 80% of the research focused on COVID-19 vaccines, and most of the studies indicated a positive influence of financial incentives on vaccination rates, although they often came with a higher risk of bias. Conversely, several studies suggest that financial incentives do not result in benefits. Instead, they highlight other factors that have a more profound effect on influencing people to undergo vaccination. The remaining studies are inconclusive regarding the effectiveness of financial incentive.
Overall, financial incentives tend to be more effective in economically disadvantaged developing countries. In contrast, in developed nations, they may be ineffective or counterproductive due to various confounding factors such as financial background, lack of trust in the healthcare system, and/or lack of patient education. In resource-rich areas, educational programs often yield better results, and addressing widespread mistrust in healthcare systems and governmental policies through transparency is essential. Ultimately, employing tailored incentives alongside public education could enhance vaccination acceptance, particularly in culturally diverse countries like the United States, where understanding community preferences is crucial.
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