Vaccine Hesitancy in Public Healthcare During Pandemics: An International Study to Inform Management Learning

ABSTRACT Background This paper explores vaccine hesitancy through the lens of management learning in public healthcare during pandemics. It addresses the need for qualitative insights from active academics, focusing on their uncertainties and ambivalence regarding COVID‐19 vaccination. The study aims to deepen understanding of vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic from a management learning perspective, examining healthcare systems, governance, and community trust. Methods Using a qualitative approach, the research draws from a multidisciplinary research network in health and digital society. A total of 27 scholars from 17 countries participated in an open‐ended questionnaire designed to elicit insights on the strategies, ethics, and public responses associated with national COVID‐19 vaccination efforts. Data collection occurred from May 2021 to July 2021, during the initial rollout of vaccines to broader populations. The analysis employed a hermeneutical framework, using thematic analysis to interpret textual data. Illustrative accounts enriched the contextual understanding. Results The resulting themes are information and disinformation; social inclusion and exclusion; trust and distrust; individual liberties and collective constraints. The findings indicate that individual nations actions play a role in shaping public discourse, opinion, and political responses related to vaccination, despite a globalized context. The analysis reveals that historical and political factors significantly influence public health policies and perceptions of vaccine hesitancy, together with the importance of information and dialogue with various stakeholders to create trust. Conclusions The COVID‐19 crisis, characterized by threats and uncertainties, has strained trust in public health institutions. A management learning perspective can be adopted that embraces a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding COVID‐19 vaccination. By fostering collaborative learning and stakeholder engagement, public health organizations can enhance their responsiveness and build trust within communities.