1.X.2. PechaKucha: Prevention of infectious diseases in the post-covid-19 world using behavioural science

Abstract

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped public health landscapes, underscoring the critical role of public perceptions, behaviours, and structural inequalities in mitigating infectious disease spread. The effects of the pandemic extend well beyond COVID-19, influencing vaccine attitudes, adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), and the way vulnerable populations approach preventive health measures. In this workshop, we explore these interconnections by showcasing research from across Europe that applies social and behavioural science to prevention. It aims to provide public health professionals, policymakers, and researchers with actionable knowledge to improve prevention in the post-COVID-19 era. The workshop features five presentations addressing behavioural and social dimensions of infectious disease prevention. Three presentations focus on vaccination behaviours, while two explore other preventive approaches such as NPIs and contact notification.

First, the ECDC introduces the 5C model of vaccination which identifies key psychological factors (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility) as drivers of vaccination behaviour. The presentation also showcases a library of interventions based on the 5C model, to inspire colleagues working at national and subnational level in facilitating vaccination uptake. The second presentation (Tilburg University, Netherlands) examines how lived experiences during COVID-19 have shaped parents’ intentions to vaccinate their children. It links support for pandemic measures, exposure to misinformation, and personal loss with vaccine hesitancy, emphasizing the lingering effects of pandemic-era factors on childhood vaccination attitudes. The third presentation (EUHPA IDC Section) assesses COVID-19 vaccine attitudes among Ukrainian refugees in Poland during the fourth year of the pandemic. Findings reveal low awareness of SARS-CoV-2 risks and waning vaccine interest, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies to promote vaccine uptake in this vulnerable population. The fourth presentation (University of Murcia, Spain) shifts focus to NPIs, exploring adherence to respiratory disease prevention measures five years post-pandemic. It highlights differences across age groups and the importance of sustained public health messaging to promote consistent behaviours like handwashing and mask use. Lastly, the Public Health Service Rotterdam (Netherlands) examines behavioural factors influencing contact notification for scabies among students. The study identifies attitudes, social norms, and stigma as key determinants and offers recommendations for strategies targeting this high-risk group. By synthesizing insights from diverse European contexts and populations, this workshop highlights the critical role of behavioural sciences in improving prevention strategies. The findings offer knowledge and tools for addressing post-COVID-19 challenges in vaccination and disease prevention.

Key messages

• Pandemic-era factors like misinformation and lived experiences continue to shape vaccine attitudes, requiring targeted strategies for specific groups such as parents and refugees.

• Sustained public health messaging and behavioural interventions can enhance adherence to NPIs and contact notification in populations like students and older adults.