COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Older Adolescents and Young Adults: A National Cross-Sectional Study in China

Panpan Zhang; Yan Li; Huanchun Wang; Liyan Luo; Ping Wang; Huimin Wang; Qing Li; Zejing Meng; Hui Yang; Yuanhong Liu; Shiyue Zhou; Nan Li; Shengnan Zhang; Jianzhong Bi; Jiewen Zhang; Xiaolei Zheng

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.877668

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Older Adolescents and Young Adults: A National Cross-Sectional Study in China

Front Public Health. 2022 May 12:10:877668. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.877668. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Panpan Zhang^{1

2}, Yan Li³, Huanchun Wang⁴, Liyan Luo⁵, Ping Wang⁶, Huimin Wang⁷, Qing Li⁶, Zejing Meng⁸, Hui Yang⁶, Yuanhong Liu², Shiyue Zhou⁶, Nan Li⁹, Shengnan Zhang², Jianzhong Bi⁶, Jiewen Zhang¹, Xiaolei Zheng⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
² Department of Neurology, Puyang People's Hospital, Puyang, China.
³ Department of Neurology, Yishui County People's Hospital, Linyi, China.
⁴ Department of Basic Medicine Teaching, Taishan Vocational College of Nursing, Taian, China.
⁵ Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
⁶ Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
⁷ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Puyang People's Hospital, Puyang, China.
⁸ Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
⁹ Department of Neurology, Sishui County People's Hospital, Jining, China.

Abstract

Background: With promotion of COVID-19 vaccinations, there has been a corresponding vaccine hesitancy, of which older adolescents and young adults represent groups of particular concern. In this report, we investigated the prevalence and reasons for vaccine hesitancy, as well as potential risk factors, within older adolescents and young adults in China.

Methods: To assess these issues, an online survey was administered over the period from March 14 to April 15, 2021. Older adolescents (16-17 years old) and young adults (18-21 years old) were recruited nationwide from Wechat groups and results from a total of 2,414 respondents were analyzed. Socio-demographic variables, vaccine hesitancy, psychological distress, abnormal illness behavior, global well-being and social support were analyzed in this report.

Results: Compared to young adults (n = 1,405), older adolescents (n = 1,009) showed higher prevalence rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (16.5 vs. 7.9%, p < 0.001). History of physical diseases (p = 0.007) and abnormal illness behavior (p = 0.001) were risk factors for vaccine hesitancy among older adolescents, while only a good self-reported health status (p = 0.048) was a risk factor for young adults. Concerns over COVID-19 vaccine side effects (67.1%) and beliefs of invulnerability regarding infection risk (41.9%) were the most prevalent reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Providing evidence on the vaccine reduction of COVID-19 infection risk (67.5%), ensuring vaccine safety (56.7%) and the low risk of side effects (52.7%) were the most effective persuasions for promoting vaccinations.

Conclusion: In China, older adolescents showed a higher prevalence for vaccine hesitancy than that of young adults. Abnormal illness behavior and history of physical diseases were risk factors for vaccine hesitancy among these older adolescents, while social support represents an important factor which could help to alleviate this hesitancy.

Keywords: COVID-19; PSI-Y; older adolescents; vaccine hesitancy; young adults.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19* / epidemiology
COVID-19* / prevention & control
China / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Parents / psychology
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Vaccination Hesitancy
Vaccines*
Young Adult

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines