The COVID-19 vaccination, preventive behaviors and pro-social motivation: panel data analysis from Japan

TL;DR

This study analyzes how COVID-19 vaccination influences preventive behaviors and the role of pro-social motivation in Japan, highlighting implications for public health strategies.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the interplay between vaccination, preventive behaviors, and pro-social motivation using panel data from Japan.

Findings

Vaccinated individuals may reduce preventive behaviors.

Pro-social motivation encourages maintenance of preventive behaviors.

Vaccination combined with pro-social attitudes enhances infection control.

Abstract

The COVID-19 vaccine reduces infection risk: even if one contracts COVID-19, the probability of complications like death or hospitalization is lower. However, vaccination may prompt people to decrease preventive behaviors, such as staying indoors, handwashing, and wearing a mask. Thereby, if vaccinated people pursue only their self-interest, the vaccine's effect may be lower than expected. However, if vaccinated people are pro-social (motivated toward benefit for the whole society), they might maintain preventive behaviors to reduce the spread of infection.