Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics (Nov 2022)

Multi-dimensional psychosocial factors influencing the willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster: A survey among the public in Mainland China

  • Yulan Lin,
  • Zhiwen Huang,
  • Xiaonan Xu,
  • Wei Du,
  • Haridah Alias,
  • Zhijian Hu,
  • Li Ping Wong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2022.2126667
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 6

Abstract

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This study aimed to investigate multi-dimensional psychological and social factors that influence the willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster in China. A nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted between March and April 2022. A total of 6375 complete responses were received. The majority were of age 18 to 40 years old (80.0%) and college-educated (49.2%). In total, 79% responded extremely willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster. By demographics, younger age, females, higher education, and participants with the lowest income reported higher willingness. Having a very good health status (odds ratio [OR] 3.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.92–4.34) and a higher score of vaccine confidence (OR 3.50, 95% CI 2.98–4.11) were associated with an increased willingness to receive a booster shot. Experiencing no side effects with primary COVID-19 vaccination (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.89–3.20) and higher perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 infection (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.92–2.95) were also associated with an increased willingness to receive a booster shot. A variety of psychosocial factors, namely having no chronic diseases, lower perceived concern over the safety of a booster shot, higher perceived severity of COVID-19 infection, and a higher level of institutional trust, were also significantly associated with greater willingness to get a booster shot. In conclusion, the present study adds evidence to the significant role of psychosocial factors in predicting COVID-19 vaccine booster acceptance and provides insights to design interventions to increase booster uptake in certain targeted demographic groups.

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