A test of vaccine endorsement by political in‐ versus out‐group sources: Effect on vaccination likelihood and exploration of mediation through perceived bias and liking

This study investigated whether political endorsements from in- versus out-group elites would influence likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination. In March 2021, we ran an experiment with Democrats and Republicans in the United States to examine they be more likely get vaccinated following by former Presidents Obama or Trump. Participants reported greater getting if vaccine was endorsed elite their own rather than opposing party. effect driven Trump, who increased vaccination among but decreased it Democrats. We also mechanisms underlying this persuasion found that perceived bias liking were plausible mediators, whereas trustworthiness expertise not. highlights potential having both Democrat Republican increase support for health behaviors a politically charged climate.