Individuals socio-demographic and economic characteristics crucially shape
the spread of an epidemic by largely determining the exposure level to the
virus and the severity of the disease for those who got infected. While the
complex interplay between individual characteristics and epidemic dynamics is
widely recognized, traditional mathematical models often overlook these
factors. In this study, we examine two important aspects of human behavior
relevant to epidemics: contact patterns and vaccination uptake. Using data
collected during the Covid-19 pandemic in Hungary, we first identify the
dimensions along which individuals exhibit the greatest variation in their
contact patterns and vaccination attitudes. We find that generally privileged
groups of the population have higher number of contact and a higher vaccination
uptake with respect to disadvantaged groups. Subsequently, we propose a
data-driven epidemiological model that incorporates these behavioral
differences. Finally, we apply our model to analyze the fourth wave of Covid-19
in Hungary, providing valuable insights into real-world scenarios. By bridging
the gap between individual characteristics and epidemic spread, our research
contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of disease dynamics and
informs effective public health strategies.Comment: 33 pages, 22 figure