Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Mar 21, 2025
Date Accepted: Jan 9, 2026
Media exposure and its association with vaccine attitudes, intentions, and hesitancy: a systematic review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Effective communication regarding vaccination is a critical public health priority nowadays. Challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and infodemic, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, complicate this task. Despite new communication tools present numerous opportunities, they also risk the spread of misinformation and mistrust.
Objective:
We aim to provide a deeper understanding of communication means’ effectiveness in promoting vaccine literacy and countering vaccine hesitancy.
Methods:
We conducted a rigorous systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, beginning with 5.124 articles (from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). After initial screening and duplicates removal, pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in a total of 77 articles.
Results:
Upon full-text screening, 34 articles were ultimately included and appropriately categorized. Traditional media appear more effective in enhancing vaccine attitudes and acceptance than online and social media. Vaccine adherence is also significantly influenced by various sociodemographic determinants, including gender, age, ethnicity, education level, socioeconomic status, and political orientation.
Conclusions:
Communication strategies need to be re-evaluated and enhanced considering rapid social changes and technological advancements to implement tailored approaches and improve the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns. Clinical Trial: PROSPERO ID: CRD42025637441
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Copyright
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