COVID-19 vaccine intention among young adults: Comparative results from a cross-sectional study in Canada and France

Vaccine. 2022 Apr 6;40(16):2442-2456. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.02.085. Epub 2022 Mar 3.

Abstract

Background: High rates of COVID-19 vaccination uptake are required to attain community immunity. This study aims to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uncertainty and refusal among young adults, an underexplored population with regards to vaccine intention generally, in two high-income settings: Canada and France.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from October to December 2020 among young adults ages 18-29 years (n = 6663) living in Canada (51.9%) and France (48.1%). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the sociodemographic and COVID-19-related measures (e.g., prevention behavior and perspectives, health-related concerns) associated with vaccine uncertainty and refusal. We conducted weighted analyses by age, gender and province/region of residence.

Results: Intention to accept vaccination was reported by 84.3% and 59.7% of the sample in Canada and France, respectively. Higher levels of vaccine uncertainty and refusal were observed in France compared to Canada (30.1% versus 11%, 10.2% versus 4.7%). In both countries, we found higher levels of vaccine acceptance among young adults who reported COVID-19 prevention actions. Vaccine uncertainty and refusal were associated with living in a rural area, having lower levels of educational attainment, not looking for information about COVID-19, not wearing a face mask, and reporting a lower level of concern for COVID-19's impact on family. Participants who had been tested for COVID-19 were less likely to intend to refuse a vaccine.

Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was high among young adults in Canada and France during a time in which vaccines were approved for use. Targeted interventions to build confidence in demographic groups with greater hesitance (e.g., rural and with less personal experience with COVID-19) may further boost acceptance and improve equity as vaccine efforts continue to unfold.

Keywords: COVID-19; Preventive measures; Vaccination; Young adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • COVID-19 Vaccines*
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccination
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines

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