This paper, co-authored by Ashley Fox, is Published at SSM Health Systems at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949856224000138

Highlights

  • High-level endorsements by trusted actors are one way to potentially increase vaccine confidence.
  • We employ a four-armed randomized trial to examine whether endorsements by the Prime Minister, a prominent religious leader, and doctors influenced participants’ willingness to register for the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Endorsements failed to influence participants’ desire to register for vaccination.
  • Messaging on its own may be insufficient to overcome widespread barriers to vaccine uptake.