Frontiers in Public Health (Feb 2023)

Willingness to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine and its associated determinants in Iran

  • Moslem Soofi,
  • Gerjo Kok,
  • Shahin Soltani,
  • Ali Kazemi-Karyani,
  • Farid Najafi,
  • Behzad Karamimatin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1036110
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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IntroductionUnderstanding the individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine could help design policy interventions to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to estimate the individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for a COVID-19 vaccine and to identify its associated determinants.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on 526 Iranian adults using a web-based questionnaire. A double-bounded contingent valuation approach was used to estimate WTP for the COVID-19 vaccine. The parameters of the model were estimated based on the maximum likelihood method.ResultsA considerable proportion of participants (90.87%) were willing to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine. Based on our discrete choice model, the estimated mean WTP for a COVID-19 vaccine was US$ 60.13 (CI: 56.80–63.46; p < 0.01). Having a higher perceived risk of being contaminated with COVID-19, higher average monthly income, higher education level, pre-existence of chronic diseases, previous experience of vaccination, and belonging to higher age groups were significant determinants associated with WTP for COVID-19 vaccination.ConclusionThe present study indicates a relatively high WTP and acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine among the Iranian population. Average monthly income, risk perception, education level, the preexistence of chronic disease, and previous vaccination experience increased the likelihood of WTP for a vaccine. Subsidizing the COVID-19 vaccine for the low-income population and raising risk perception among the population should be considered in formulating vaccine-related interventions.

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