International Journal of Public Health (May 2021)

Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination Among Young Adults in Zurich, Switzerland, September 2020

  • Cesar Leos-Toro,
  • Denis Ribeaud,
  • Laura Bechtiger,
  • Annekatrin Steinhoff,
  • Amy Nivette,
  • Aja L. Murray,
  • Urs Hepp,
  • Boris B. Quednow,
  • Boris B. Quednow,
  • Manuel P. Eisner,
  • Manuel P. Eisner,
  • Lilly Shanahan,
  • Lilly Shanahan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2021.643486
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 66

Abstract

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Objectives: Young adults are essential to the effective mitigation of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) given their tendency toward greater frequency of social interactions. Little is known about vaccine willingness during pandemics in European populations. This study examined young people’s attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines in Fall 2020.Methods: Data came from an ongoing longitudinal study’s online COVID-19-focused supplement among young adults aged 22 in Zurich, Switzerland (N = 499) in September 2020. Logistic regressions examined young adults’ likelihood of participating in COVID-19 immunization programs.Results: Approximately half of respondents reported being unlikely to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Compared to males, females were more likely to oppose COVID-19 vaccination (p < 0.05). In multivariate models, Sri Lankan maternal background and higher socioeconomic status were associated with a greater likelihood of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 (p < 0.05). Respondents were more likely to report a willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when they perceived 1) an effective government response (p < 0.05) and 2) their information sources to be objective (p < 0.05).Conclusion: This study communicates aspects important to the development of targeted information campaigns to promote engagement in COVID-19 immunization efforts.

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