This open acess book explores vaccine hesitancy as a primarily psychological phenomenon rather than a purely medical one. By analyzing the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides an evidence-based guide on how fear, social influence, and misinformation impact public health compliance.

The authors aim to equip educators, journalists, and policymakers with effective tools to Understand the psychological mechanisms behind skepticism, Strengthen arguments in favor of vaccinations, Counteract misinformation and demagogic rhetoric regarding personal freedom.

The ultimate goal is to influence human behavior and attitudes, ensuring society is psychologically prepared for future health crises like upcoming pandemics.

Wojciech Kulesza Professor, vice-chair of Warsaw’s Science Festival, chair of social psychology department. Researches, publishes, and teaches: mimicry/the chameleon effect (The Pulse/NPR Interview), social biases in decision making, and psychology of love. Member of the Scientific Committee of the Polish Psychological Association. Publishes articles for the general public.

Dariusz Dolinski Professor and chair, head of social psychology department in SWPS University, Department of Psychology in Wroclaw, past president of Polish Association of Social Psychology and past editor-in-chief of Polish Psychological Bulletin.Researcher working in the area of social influence. Author of 24 books and more than 250 articles. Currently involved in interdisciplinary research concerning the anti-vaccination movement.

Tomasz Grzyb Professor of Psychology at SWPS University in Wrocław and former President of the Polish Social Psychological Society. He researches social influence and field methods, serves as Editor-in-Chief of Polish Psychological Bulletin, and is Dean of the Faculty of Psychology in Wrocław at SWPS University.