Differences in non-positive intention to accept the COVID-19 booster vaccine between three countries in the cross-border region Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany
Céline J.A. van Bilsen,
Christina Stabourlos,
Chrissy P.B. Moonen,
Stephanie Brinkhues,
Stefaan Demarest,
Daniëlle A.T. Hanssen,
Inge H.M. van Loo,
Paul H.M. Savelkoul,
Dirk Philippsen,
Brigitte A.M. van der Zanden,
Nicole H.T.M. Dukers-Muijrers,
Christian J.P.A. Hoebe
Affiliations
Céline J.A. van Bilsen
Department of Social Medicine, Maastricht University, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, and Environmental Health, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, the Netherlands; Corresponding author at: Public Health Service South Limburg, Department Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environment, Postbus 33, 6400 AA Heerlen, the Netherlands.
Christina Stabourlos
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
Chrissy P.B. Moonen
Department of Social Medicine, Maastricht University, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, and Environmental Health, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, the Netherlands
Stephanie Brinkhues
Department of Knowledge & Innovation, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, the Netherlands
Stefaan Demarest
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
Daniëlle A.T. Hanssen
Department of Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases & Infection Prevention, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Care and Primary Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Inge H.M. van Loo
Department of Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases & Infection Prevention, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Care and Primary Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Paul H.M. Savelkoul
Department of Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases & Infection Prevention, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Care and Primary Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, and Environmental Health, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, the Netherlands; Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Christian J.P.A. Hoebe
Department of Social Medicine, Maastricht University, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, and Environmental Health, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases & Infection Prevention, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, the Netherlands
COVID-19 booster vaccination has shown to add to the protection against infection with SARS-CoV2 and subsequent severe disease. This longitudinal cross-border study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions in an initially vaccinated adult population living in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion (EMR; including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany) and differences between countries.Data collection took place in autumn of 2021 and consisted of online questionnaires sent to a random sample of the population based on governmental registries. Data from 3,319 fully and partially vaccinated adults were used to examine determinants of non-positive intention for a booster vaccination (i.e., uncertain or do not want), using multivariable logistic regression analyses weighted by age group, sex, and country.Compared to German residents, Dutch residents (OR = 2.4) and Belgian residents (OR = 1.4) were more likely to be uncertain or not want to receive a booster vaccine in September-October 2021. Factors independently associated with non-positive intention were female sex (OR = 1.6), absence of comorbidities (OR = 1.3), time since last vaccination less than 3 months ago for those fully vaccinated (OR = 1.6), being partially vaccinated (OR = 3.6), a negative experience with communication of COVID-19 measures (OR = 2.2), and regarding measures as ineffective (OR = 1.1).Results indicate that booster vaccine intentions differ between countries in the cross border Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. Non-positive intention for the booster vaccine is prevalent in all three countries of the EMR, but to a different extent, as shown in this study. Cross-border collaboration and sharing information and knowledge about vaccination strategies could play a role in limiting the impact of COVID-19.
