US state vaccine mandates did not influence COVID-19 vaccination rates but reduced uptake of COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccines compared to bans on vaccine restrictions

Stephen A. Rains, Adam S. Richards

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some US states mandated vaccination for certain citizens. We used state-level data from the CDC to test whether vaccine mandates predicted changes in COVID-19 vaccine uptake, as well as related voluntary behaviors involving COVID-19 boosters and seasonal influenza vaccines. Results showed that COVID-19 vaccine adoption did not significantly change in the weeks before and after states implemented vaccine mandates, suggesting that mandates did not directly impact COVID-19 vaccination. Compared to states that banned vaccine restrictions, however, states with mandates had lower levels of COVID-19 booster adoption as well as adult and child flu vaccination, especially when residents initially were less likely to vaccinate for COVID-19. This research supports the notion that governmental restrictions in the form of vaccination mandates can have unintended negative consequences, not necessarily by reducing uptake of the mandated vaccine, but by reducing adoption of other voluntary vaccines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere2313610121
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume121
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 20 2024

Keywords

  • government restriction
  • personal freedom
  • social influence
  • vaccine mandates

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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