Internet use and COVID-19 vaccination attitudes among older adults in Switzerland during the pandemic

Despite the critical importance of COVID-19 vaccination for older adults, vaccine hesitancy has been observed within this population. At the same time, internet use among older adults has increased substantially, making it important to understand how digital engagement shapes access to vaccination-related information. This study examines the associations between internet usage, self-estimated level of internet knowledge, and mistrust in online information with COVID-19 vaccination uptake and hesitancy among adults aged 60 + in Switzerland during the pandemic. The analytical sample includes 986 Swiss respondents from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) Corona Questionnaire 2 (2021). The associations in this article were estimated using probit regressions, controlling for socio-demographic, health, and regional characteristics. The findings reveal a higher likelihood of vaccination among older adults who use the internet as a source of information on COVID-19 and related regulations. Additionally, respondents with greater confidence in their internet knowledge are more inclined to get vaccinated. Conversely, those who find it challenging to differentiate between truthful and misleading information online are less likely to choose vaccination. Our findings highlight the potentially crucial role of internet use and digital literacy in shaping COVID-19 vaccination behavior among older adults in Switzerland. Promoting digital literacy and enhancing trust in reliable online health information could be key strategies to reduce vaccination hesitancy in this population. Addressing concerns about misinformation is also essential for improving vaccination uptake.