Applying the sour grapes/sweet lemons rationalization to change beliefs and preferences: reducing public concerns about vaccine safety and enhancing their willingness to get vaccinated

This study employed the sour grapes/sweet lemons rationalization to create two conditions: “attainable” (sweet lemons) and “unattainable” (sour grapes), mirroring the 2019-nCoV vaccination process closely in China. The aim was to change people’s beliefs and preferences regarding vaccines by easing their safety concerns and encouraging more willingness to get vaccinated. An online survey was conducted from January 22 to 27, 2021, with 3,123 residents across 30 provinces and municipalities in Chinese mainland (excluding Tibet Autonomous Region). We assessed participants’ consent to vaccination, vaccine safety perceptions, willingness to be vaccinated, and willingness to wait and see.