Remittances, migration and vaccine acceptance/hesitancy

Abstract

Purpose

The SARS-Cov2 pandemic has generated considerable debate about the role of vaccines in the fight against epidemics and the sensitivity and acceptability of new vaccines in emergency situations. The aim of this paper is to examine the nature of the relationship between remittances as an additional source of income and the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and to provide an overview of the determinants of acceptance or hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine. It uses logistic regression and propensity score matching to study the relationship between remittances and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Using data from the Arab Barometer survey (2021–2022) for 10 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, the results indicate that the number of people vaccinated among remittance recipients is higher than among those who do not receive remittances. The impact of international migration on vaccine acceptance in countries of origin can be seen in the transfer of norms and beliefs from host countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses logistic regression and propensity score matching to study the relationship between remittances and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. using data from the Arab Barometer survey (2021–2022) for 10 MENA countries.

Findings

The results indicate that the number of people vaccinated among remittance recipients is higher than among those who do not receive remittances. The impact of international migration on vaccine acceptance in countries of origin can be seen in the transfer of norms and beliefs from host countries.

Research limitations/implications

Other variables possibly linked to vaccine acceptance can be incorporated into the study.

Practical implications

In countries of origin, international migration should be taken into account in health policies. The convergence of health standards between developed and developing countries can also be achieved through international migration.

Originality/value

The link between migration, through remittances as a proxy for norm transfers, and health, particularly vaccine acceptance in a period of health crisis, has never been addressed in the literature.

Citation

Makhlouf, F. (2024), "Remittances, migration and vaccine acceptance/hesitancy", International Journal of Health Governance, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 342-355. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHG-05-2024-0049