The Public's Perceptions of Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates in Saudi Arabia: trust, responsibility and the state Protection.

Abstract

The imposition of COVID-19 vaccination mandates is commonly advocated as a measure to enhance vaccination coverage. However, the effectiveness of such mandates is contingent not only upon navigating potential legal, ethical, and psychological obstacles but also on the degree of public support and acceptance. This study employs a naturalist approach within the social sciences, utilizing self-administered online surveys as the primary data collection method. It examines public perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Saudi Arabia, with a particular emphasis on how variables such as trust, trust in government, cultural attitudes towards collective responsibility, and the perceived protective role of the state shape public attitudes towards these mandates. Data was collected from 22 July 2024 to 4 August 2024 through Outlook Forums survey platform utilizing nonprobability convince sampling to assess the sample level of agreement to statements related to attitudes toward vaccine mandate, trust, the state protective role, autonomy, and collective reasonability. The study results highlight that, in collectivist societies like Saudi Arabia, many view vaccination as a social obligation, aligning with Islamic teachings that prioritize communal welfare over individual autonomy. Additionally, trust in the government plays a crucial role in public acceptance of vaccine mandates, with higher levels of trust correlating with greater acceptance. This correlation is stronger than the influence of the perception of the state's protective role in supporting vaccine mandates.