Assessment of Willingness and Influencing Factors for COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Among Residents of Hong Kong in the Post-Pandemic Context
Author(s)
Chenwen Zhong, PhD1, Junjie Huang, PhD2, Martin Chi Sang Wong, MD2.
1Postdoctoral fellow, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 2CUHK, HK, Hong Kong.
1Postdoctoral fellow, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 2CUHK, HK, Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVES: The ongoing effects of COVID-19 in the post-pandemic period underscore the need for promoting vaccine boosters to ensure public health. This study aimed to evaluate the willingness of residents in Hong Kong to receive COVID-19 booster vaccinations and identify the associated factors.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out through an online survey in August 2024 in Hong Kong. Data were gathered on seven constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM), along with participants' sociodemographic information and their willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify factors linked to the willingness to receive a booster within the next six months. A parallel multiple mediation model was employed to explore the mediation effects of the HBM constructs.
RESULTS: Among 5,524 adults invited, 2,099 completed the survey, with 549 (26.2%) indicating a willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster in the next six months. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that individuals who regularly took medications, belonged to priority groups, experienced multiple infections, or reported higher levels of perceived susceptibility (p< 0.001), perceived severity (p=0.015), perceived benefits (p=0.024), and cues to action (p<0.001) were more likely to intend to receive a booster. Cues to action revealed both direct effects (p<0.001) and indirect effects on willingness to vaccinate through perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and self-efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS: The willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine boosters among the general population in Hong Kong is still insufficient. Targeted efforts by government and healthcare professionals are vital to improve booster uptake by enhancing cues to action and perceptions of susceptibility, severity, and benefits, especially among individuals with lower vaccination intentions. Further research is required to investigate causal relationships and validate these findings across various settings.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out through an online survey in August 2024 in Hong Kong. Data were gathered on seven constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM), along with participants' sociodemographic information and their willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify factors linked to the willingness to receive a booster within the next six months. A parallel multiple mediation model was employed to explore the mediation effects of the HBM constructs.
RESULTS: Among 5,524 adults invited, 2,099 completed the survey, with 549 (26.2%) indicating a willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster in the next six months. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that individuals who regularly took medications, belonged to priority groups, experienced multiple infections, or reported higher levels of perceived susceptibility (p< 0.001), perceived severity (p=0.015), perceived benefits (p=0.024), and cues to action (p<0.001) were more likely to intend to receive a booster. Cues to action revealed both direct effects (p<0.001) and indirect effects on willingness to vaccinate through perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and self-efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS: The willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine boosters among the general population in Hong Kong is still insufficient. Targeted efforts by government and healthcare professionals are vital to improve booster uptake by enhancing cues to action and perceptions of susceptibility, severity, and benefits, especially among individuals with lower vaccination intentions. Further research is required to investigate causal relationships and validate these findings across various settings.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
HSD5
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
STA: Vaccines