Joint with Shusaku Sasaki (Osaka University), Fumio Ohtake (Osaka University)

Abstract

We study effects of combining financial incentives with nudges to promote rubella antibody testing and vaccination. In FY2019, the Japanese government began providing vouchers for free testing and vaccination to men aged 40–57 years. Vouchers were mailed to 40–46-year-old men in FY2019. While those aged 47–57 received vouchers in FY2020, they could obtain vouchers and receive testing and vaccination in FY2019 through applying. Focusing on this policy distinction, we conduct a late-FY2019 online field experiment with Japanese 40–57-year-old men. We randomly send nudge-based reminder messages recommending antibody testing and vaccination, and track self-reported behavior until the end of FY2019. One nudge-based reminder with an altruistic message on fetal harm through infection from men to pregnant women significantly promotes antibody testing and vaccination among those who have already received vouchers as a financial incentive. For those who must apply for vouchers, nudge-based reminders have no promoting effect.

Discussion Papers

• [Latest version] CiDER Discussion Paper (Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University), October 2022. [Full-text link]
• “Text-Based Nudges Promoting Rubella Antibody Testing and Vaccination: Evidence from a Nationwide Online Experiment in Japan,” RIETI Discussion Paper Series (Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry), March 2022. [Japanese] [Full-text link]