Influence of Internet Celebrity Medical Experts on COVID-19 Vaccination Intention of Young Adults: An Empirical Study From China

Abstract

With the continuous expansion of COVID-19, many medical experts with the characteristics of “Internet Celebrities” are increasingly influencing people's vaccination behavior, which is crucial for overall social welfare. To explore the influence of Internet celebrity medical experts on people's vaccination against COVID-19, this study constructed a conceptual model of COVID-19 vaccination intention based on the professionalism, morality, interaction dimension, and information content of Internet celebrity medical experts, to generate perceived value by establishing a trusting relationship between them and the influenced people. The empirical analysis shows that interactivity and information content are important factors determining the influence of Internet celebrity medical experts. In the context of high demands for COVID-19 vaccines, it is more effective to influence vaccination intention through strong demand than through generating trust. The empirical analysis shows that Internet celebrity medical experts have a significant role in COVID-19 vaccination, and interactivity and information content are two important factors determining the influence. Through the connection of information-demand, Internet celebrity medical experts can greatly influence the perceived value, by coaction with trust to influence the final intention. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccination persuasion information released by Internet celebrity medical experts should be elaborately organized and demonstrated, especially from the demand aspect, and government could put more resources to support the information to spread.