tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Lancet Reg Health Eur
. 2022 May 29;18:100414.
doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100414. eCollection 2022 Jul.
Willingness to receive an annual COVID-19 booster vaccine in the German-speaking D-A-CH region in Europe: A cross-sectional study
Jakob Weitzer[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Brenda M Birmann[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ilja Steffelbauer[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Martin Bertau[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Lukas Zenk[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Guido Caniglia[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Manfred D Laubichler[SUP] 7 8 9 [/SUP], Gerald Steiner[SUP] 4 7 [/SUP], Eva S Schernhammer[SUP] 1 3 7 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: Emergence of new coronavirus variants and waning immunity may necessitate regular COVID-19 vaccine boosters, but empirical data on population willingness for regular vaccination are limited.
Methods: In August 2021, we surveyed 3,067 quota-sampled German-speaking adults residing in the D-A-CH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Using multivariable adjusted ordered logistic regression models we calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to assess factors associated with willingness to vaccinate annually against COVID-19.
Findings: Among 2,480 participants vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated, 82·4% indicated willingness to receive annual COVID-19 boosters. This willingness was higher in Austria (OR=1·47, 95% CI, 1·19-1·82; p < 0·001) and Germany (OR=1·98, 95% CI, 1·60-2·45; p < 0·001) versus Switzerland and increased with age. Having voted in the last national election (OR[SUB]opposition party voters[/SUB]=1·51, 95% CI=1·18-1·92; p = 0·001 and OR[SUB]governing party voters[/SUB]=1·57, 95% CI=1·28-1·93; p < 0·001, versus non-voters) and not regularly participating in religious meetings (OR=1·37, 95% CI=1·08-1·73; p = 0·009, versus participation at least monthly) were significantly associated with willingness to vaccinate, as was partial (OR=1·97, 95% CI=1·43-2·72; p < 0·001) or total (OR=5·20, 95% CI=3·76-7·19; p < 0·001) approval of COVID-19 mitigation measures (versus non-approval). By country, Austrians showed the strongest association of voting behavior and mitigation measure approval with willingness to vaccinate.
Interpretation: Targeted promotion programs informed by political and religious engagement and mitigation measure approval are needed to increase willingness to receive regular COVID-19 boosters.
Funding: Medical University of Vienna, Department of Epidemiology, Danube University Krems, Department for Knowledge and Communication Management; Austrian Society of Epidemiology.
Keywords: Booster dose; Booster jab; COVID19 pandemic; Vaccine hesitancy.
. 2022 May 29;18:100414.
doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100414. eCollection 2022 Jul.
Willingness to receive an annual COVID-19 booster vaccine in the German-speaking D-A-CH region in Europe: A cross-sectional study
Jakob Weitzer[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Brenda M Birmann[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ilja Steffelbauer[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Martin Bertau[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Lukas Zenk[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Guido Caniglia[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Manfred D Laubichler[SUP] 7 8 9 [/SUP], Gerald Steiner[SUP] 4 7 [/SUP], Eva S Schernhammer[SUP] 1 3 7 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 35651957
- PMCID: PMC9148542
- DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100414
Abstract
Background: Emergence of new coronavirus variants and waning immunity may necessitate regular COVID-19 vaccine boosters, but empirical data on population willingness for regular vaccination are limited.
Methods: In August 2021, we surveyed 3,067 quota-sampled German-speaking adults residing in the D-A-CH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Using multivariable adjusted ordered logistic regression models we calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to assess factors associated with willingness to vaccinate annually against COVID-19.
Findings: Among 2,480 participants vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated, 82·4% indicated willingness to receive annual COVID-19 boosters. This willingness was higher in Austria (OR=1·47, 95% CI, 1·19-1·82; p < 0·001) and Germany (OR=1·98, 95% CI, 1·60-2·45; p < 0·001) versus Switzerland and increased with age. Having voted in the last national election (OR[SUB]opposition party voters[/SUB]=1·51, 95% CI=1·18-1·92; p = 0·001 and OR[SUB]governing party voters[/SUB]=1·57, 95% CI=1·28-1·93; p < 0·001, versus non-voters) and not regularly participating in religious meetings (OR=1·37, 95% CI=1·08-1·73; p = 0·009, versus participation at least monthly) were significantly associated with willingness to vaccinate, as was partial (OR=1·97, 95% CI=1·43-2·72; p < 0·001) or total (OR=5·20, 95% CI=3·76-7·19; p < 0·001) approval of COVID-19 mitigation measures (versus non-approval). By country, Austrians showed the strongest association of voting behavior and mitigation measure approval with willingness to vaccinate.
Interpretation: Targeted promotion programs informed by political and religious engagement and mitigation measure approval are needed to increase willingness to receive regular COVID-19 boosters.
Funding: Medical University of Vienna, Department of Epidemiology, Danube University Krems, Department for Knowledge and Communication Management; Austrian Society of Epidemiology.
Keywords: Booster dose; Booster jab; COVID19 pandemic; Vaccine hesitancy.