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

Vaccine: X (Aug 2023)

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
Dirk Philippsen: Gesundheitsberichterstattung, Gesundheitsamt Düren, Düren, Germany
Brigitte A.M. van der Zanden: Foundation euPrevent, Heerlen, the Netherlands
Nicole H.T.M. Dukers-Muijrers: 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

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14
p. 100306

Abstract

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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.

Published in Vaccine: X

ISSN: 2590-1362 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/vaccine-x

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