Determinants of Willingness to Accept the Pneumococcal Vaccine: An Population-Based Study in Hong Kong
Author(s)
Chenwen Zhong, PhD, Junjie Huang, PhD, Martin Chi Sang Wong, MD.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVES: Pneumococcal infections are a significant global health concern, particularly among the elderly and immunocompromised. This study examines the willingness of the Hong Kong population to receive the pneumococcal vaccine and identifies the factors influencing this willingness.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 among the Hong Kong population. Data were collected on sociodemographic factors, Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs, knowledge about the vaccine, and trust in the healthcare system. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with willingness.
RESULTS: A total of 1,020 participants (580 males, 440 females; 62.2% aged 50-69 years) were included. Among them, 73.8% (n=753) expressed willingness to receive the pneumococcal vaccine within the next 12 months. Factors positively associated with willingness included perceived susceptibility to pneumococcus (AOR, 95% CI 2.093 [1.257-3.483], p=0.005), self-efficacy (AOR, 95% CI 5.603 [3.212-9.774], p<0.001), perceived vaccine benefits (AOR, 95% CI 4.072 [2.380-6.968], p<0.001), and cues to action (AOR, 95% CI 4.193 [2.582-6.809], p<0.001). Smoking (AOR, 95% CI 2.197 [1.324-3.647], p=0.002) and prior flu vaccination (AOR, 95% CI 3.267 [2.113-5.050], p<0.001) were also positively correlated with willingness. Higher acceptance of one-dose vaccines was linked to greater willingness (AOR, 95% CI 3.951 [2.641-5.910], p<0.001). Conversely, self-reported health status was negatively associated with willingness, with healthier individuals less inclined to receive the vaccine (AOR, 95% CI 0.488 [0.292-0.814], p=0.006).
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the key factors influencing the willingness to receive the pneumococcal vaccine, particularly those related to the Health Belief Model, such as perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and perceived benefits. Public health interventions should focus on improving health literacy, addressing perceptions of susceptibility, and increasing professional outreach to enhance vaccine uptake.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 among the Hong Kong population. Data were collected on sociodemographic factors, Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs, knowledge about the vaccine, and trust in the healthcare system. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with willingness.
RESULTS: A total of 1,020 participants (580 males, 440 females; 62.2% aged 50-69 years) were included. Among them, 73.8% (n=753) expressed willingness to receive the pneumococcal vaccine within the next 12 months. Factors positively associated with willingness included perceived susceptibility to pneumococcus (AOR, 95% CI 2.093 [1.257-3.483], p=0.005), self-efficacy (AOR, 95% CI 5.603 [3.212-9.774], p<0.001), perceived vaccine benefits (AOR, 95% CI 4.072 [2.380-6.968], p<0.001), and cues to action (AOR, 95% CI 4.193 [2.582-6.809], p<0.001). Smoking (AOR, 95% CI 2.197 [1.324-3.647], p=0.002) and prior flu vaccination (AOR, 95% CI 3.267 [2.113-5.050], p<0.001) were also positively correlated with willingness. Higher acceptance of one-dose vaccines was linked to greater willingness (AOR, 95% CI 3.951 [2.641-5.910], p<0.001). Conversely, self-reported health status was negatively associated with willingness, with healthier individuals less inclined to receive the vaccine (AOR, 95% CI 0.488 [0.292-0.814], p=0.006).
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the key factors influencing the willingness to receive the pneumococcal vaccine, particularly those related to the Health Belief Model, such as perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and perceived benefits. Public health interventions should focus on improving health literacy, addressing perceptions of susceptibility, and increasing professional outreach to enhance vaccine uptake.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD30
Topic Subcategory
Distributed Data & Research Networks
Disease
SDC: Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)