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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2024 Mar 12.
Published in final edited form as: Curr Opin Immunol. 2021 May 14;71:34–45. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.04.002

Table 2.

Definitions of key terms used in vaccine confidence measures

Term Definition

Thinking and feeling
Disease risk appraisal Thoughts and feelings about potential health problems caused by infectious agents. Includes perceived risk, worry, fear, and anticipated regret.
Confidence Attitudes and beliefs that vaccines work, are safe, and are part of a trustworthy medical system. Includes perceived importance and effectiveness of vaccines and concerns about vaccines being unsafe.
Motivation
Hesitancy Motivational state of being conflicted about, or opposed to, getting vaccinated; includes intentions and willingness.
Intention Aim or plan to get vaccinated.
Behaviour
Acceptance Willing receipt of vaccination.
Coverage Estimated percentage of individuals who received specific vaccines. Low coverage reflects both individuals who will never be vaccinated and those for whom vaccination is delayed but eventually occurs.
Delay Receiving a vaccination after the recommended age. Delay can be the result of a deliberate choice, passive inaction, or forces external to the individual, such as a vaccine shortage.
Refusal Declining to receive a vaccine when offered.
Un-vaccinated Has not received any of the recommended vaccines for their age.
Under-vaccinated Has received some, but not all, of the recommended vaccines for their age.
Uptake Receipt of a vaccine.

Sources: Adapted from Refs. [1,13••,47,48].