Global health action
Exploring booster vaccine hesitancy: evidence from the COVID-19 in Hong Kong
By Jin J, Lai DWL and Yan E.
Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic showed that effective pandemic prevention may require repeated vaccination. However, booster uptake can be influenced by psychosocial factors, particularly during a prolonged public health crisis.
Objective
This study examined factors associated with adults' willingness to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose in Hong Kong.
Methods
Data were drawn from the fourth-wave follow-up survey of a longitudinal study and analyzed cross-sectionally using multinomial logistic regression.
Results
A total of 689 participants were analyzed: 401 (58.2%) were willing to receive an additional dose, 130 (18.9%) refused, and 158 (22.9%) were undecided. Relative to being undecided, higher pandemic fatigue (OR = 1.630, 95% CI: 1.256-2.115) and lower trust in authorities (OR = 0.602, 95% CI: 0.471-0.769) were statistically significantly associated with greater odds of refusal, whereas greater perceived convenience of preventive measures was statistically significantly associated with greater odds of acceptance (OR = 1.288, 95% CI: 1.011-1.640). Higher daily hassles were statistically significantly associated with increased odds of both refusal (OR = 1.578, 95% CI: 1.150-2.163) and acceptance (OR = 1.257, 95% CI: 1.005-1.572), indicating a bidirectional relationship, and the association with acceptance held only among those who perceived measures as less convenient. Among demographic factors, only age was significant, with younger participants more likely to remain undecided than older participants.