Subjective Theories on Solidarity during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Desire for Sanctioning 'Non-Solidaric' Behaviour

Solidarity was perceived to be of great importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the expectation of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. If people showed hesitancy, this was often declared a lack of solidarity. This paper focuses on three research questions: (1) How do laypeople perceive solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) How do they react to people hesitant to vaccination? (3) Which consequences could this bring along for health promotion and society? In order to understand subjective theories of laypeople on solidarity during the pandemic – and on vaccination against COVID-19 in particular -, 1,858 bottom line comments on ten different internet articles are analysed. As a result, laypeople often share the idea that vaccination is an act of solidarity. Focusing on those, who are hesitant, they attribute this to a lack of cognitive and social competences. Further, they describe expected consequences of vaccination hesitancy, which in turn justify a wide range of suggested sanctions. They include discrimination and exclusion, as well as a desire for personal damage. Finally, possible effects on society are discussed.