Israel was the first country to approve the first and the second booster vaccine for COVID-19 and one of the first to approve the COVID-19 vaccination to the wide public. The focus of vaccinations to target the older adult population. Given the toll incurred globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to learn more about factors predictive of vaccination behavior among older adults, especially as related to Bellwethers - early adopters who lead others by example. Our studies indicated that a novel factor, Sense of Control due to the Booster vaccine (SOC_B), was highly associated with the adoption of the first and second booster among eligible older adults, as well as more “traditional” psychological factors, such as Trust and Vaccine Hesitancy . With possible new waves of COVID-19 and other pandemics, our studies suggest focusing on early adopters of previous vaccinations, as they are more likely to become Bellwethers of new vaccinations. Vaccine campaigns could also address SOC as a positive motivator encouraging earlier vaccinations in older age.
In another series of studies, we identified the psychological cost of COVID-19 social restriction in older age, and the effect of vaccinations on these negative psychological outcomes.
We also identified difficulties in adapting to normal life once COVID-19 lockdown has been lifted. Israel was used as a case study, as COVID-19 social restrictions, including a nation-wide lockdown, were lifted almost completely by mid-April 2021, following a large-scale vaccination operation. Our findings are of special interest to public welfare, as adaptation difficulties were associated with higher chance for clinical depressive symptoms, while positive solitude was found to be as an efficient moderator during this period. The large proportion of depressive symptoms that persist despite lifting of social restrictions should be taken into consideration by policy makers when designing return-to-routine plans.
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Bodner, E., Bergman, Y., Ben-David, B. M. and Palgi, Y. (2022). Vaccination Anxiety when Vaccinations are Available: The Role of Existential Concerns. Stress and Health, 38, 111-118. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3079
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Keisari, S., Palgi, Y., Ring, L., Folkman, A., and Ben-David, B. M. * (*corresponding author). (2022). “Post-lockdown Depression”: Depressive symptoms, adaptation difficulties, and the role of positive solitude when returning to routine after the lifting of nation-wide COVID-19 social restrictions. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 359, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.838903