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Public Willingness and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination at the Initial Stage of Mass Vaccination in China

Authors :
Yi-Miao Zhao
Lin Liu
Jie Sun
Wei Yan
Kai Yuan
Yong-Bo Zheng
Zheng-An Lu
Shu-Yu Ni
Si-Zhen Su
Xi-Mei Zhu
Na Zeng
Yi-Miao Gong
Ping Wu
Mao-Sheng Ran
Yue Leng
Jie Shi
Le Shi
Lin Lu
Yan-Ping Bao
Source :
Vaccines, Vol 9, Iss 1172, p 1172 (2021), Vaccines, Volume 9, Issue 10
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

The present study assessed the willingness of the general population to receive COVID-19 vaccines and identified factors that influence vaccine hesitancy and resistance. A national online survey was conducted from 29 January 2021 to 26 April 2021 in China. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors that influence vaccine hesitancy and resistance. Of the 34,041 participants surveyed, 18,810 (55.3%) were willing to get vaccinated, 13,736 (40.3%) were hesitant, and 1495 (4.4%) were resistant. Rates of vaccine acceptance increased over time, with geographical discrepancies in vaccine hesitancy and resistance between provinces in China. Vaccine safety was the greatest concern expressed by most participants (24,461 [71.9%]), and the major reason for participants’ refusing vaccination (974 [65.2%]). Government agencies (23,131 [68.0%]) and social media (20,967 [61.6%]) were the main sources of COVID-19 vaccine information. Compared with vaccination acceptance, female, young and middle-aged, high income, and perceived low-risk of infection were associated with vaccine hesitancy. Histories of allergic reactions to other vaccines and depression symptoms were related to vaccine resistance. Common factors that influenced vaccine hesitancy and resistance were residing in cities and perceiving less protection with vaccines than with other protective measures. The results indicate that the rate of vaccine resistance is relatively low, but vaccine hesitancy is common. Individuals who are female, young and middle-aged, with a high income, and residing in cities are more likely to be hesitant for vaccination and should be the target populations for vaccination campaigns. Specific vaccine messaging from the government and social media could alleviate public concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy.

Details

Language :
English
Volume :
9
Issue :
1172
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Vaccines
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....449b3485ce405a5fc6e609ebb5fa6acb