In this study, authors examined associations between Californians’ self-reported, most- relied-upon COVID-19 information sources and their COVID-19 vaccination status using data collected from the 2022 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). To address differences in information preferences and vaccine uptake by age, authors also tested for potential effect modification of the relationship between relied-upon COVID-19 information sources and vaccination status by generational membership (e.g., Generation Z, millennials, Generation X, baby boomers, and Silent Generation). A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2022 CHIS was conducted. Vaccine status (any or none) was modeled as a function of information sources (or count) controlling for important sociodemographic and health confounding variables. Interaction terms of information sources (or count) by generational status were added to the models to test effect modification, and if significant, the models were stratified by generation. All analysis was survey-weighted to account for the complex survey sampling design. 

Findings: Compared to relying on traditional news media for COVID-19 information, relying on word of mouth, social media, and doctors for COVID-19 information was associated with lower odds of being vaccinated for COVID-19. A dose-response relationship was identified, with each additional information source associated with 9% higher odds of being vaccinated for COVID-19. In stratified models, social media, compared to traditional news media, was associated with lower odds of vaccination for Generation X, baby boomers, and the Silent Generation. Authors conclude that dissemination of public health information should include multiple information sources to reach all individual preferences across different generations