Nash versus Kant: A game-theoretic analysis of childhood vaccination behavior

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De Donder, Philippe, Llavador, Humberto, Penczynski, Stefan P., Roemer, John E. and Vélez-Grajales, Roberto (2025) Nash versus Kant: A game-theoretic analysis of childhood vaccination behavior. Journal of Economics. ISSN 0931-8658

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Abstract

The vaccination game exhibits positive externalities. The standard game-theoretic approach assumes that parents make decisions according to the Nash protocol, which is individualistic and non-cooperative. However, in more solidaristic societies, parents may behave cooperatively, optimizing according to the Kantian protocol, in which the equilibrium is efficient. We develop a random utility model of vaccination behavior and prove that the equilibrium coverage rate is larger with the Kant protocol than with the Nash one. Using survey data collected from six countries, we calibrate the parameters of the vaccination game, compute both Nash equilibrium and Kantian equilibrium profiles, and compare them with observed vaccination behavior. We find evidence that parents demonstrate cooperative behavior in all six countries. The study highlights the importance of cooperation in shaping vaccination behavior and underscores the need to consider these factors in public health interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	free-rider problem,kantian equilibrium,measles vaccination,nash equilibrium,economics and econometrics,business, management and accounting(all),sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2000/2002
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Economics
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Behavioural Economics Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Sciences
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	13 Feb 2025 18:30
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2025 08:33
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98494
DOI:	10.1007/s00712-025-00898-x

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