Accelerate the process of getting vaccinated: factors associated with consideration of and accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination in metropolises of China.

BACKGROUND

Rapid mutation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is sweeping the world and delaying the full reopening of society. Acceleration of the vaccination process may be the key element in winning the race against this virus. We examine factors associated with personal considerations of and accessibility to the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in metropolises of China.

METHODS

This multi-center, cross-sectional research was conducted using online questionnaires from April 1 to June 1, 2021, in community health service centers of Shanghai, Chengdu and Fuzhou. 9,047 vaccinated participants were included and data for 8,990 individuals were eligible for analysis. Chi-square test was conducted to find potential predictors, which were included in the logistic regressions. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the influence of region, socio-economic status (SES), and attitudes on vaccination process.

RESULTS

In consideration phase, participants in Fuzhou (OR:2.26, 95%CI: 1.90 to 2.68) and Chengdu (OR: 2.48, 95%CI: 2.17 to 2.83) were more likely than those in Shanghai to consider longer than one month. These odds increased for participants with master or above degree (reference: illiteracy and primary school), higher monthly household income (reference: < ¥5000), and greater vaccination hesitancy (reference: low hesitancy). Unemployed and household-based participants (OR: 3.37, 95%CI: 1.69 to 6.75, reference: farmer) and participants without brand preference (OR:1.13, 95%CI:1.02 to 1.26) may take longer time of consideration. In the accessibility phase, participants in Fuzhou (OR: 8.82, 95%CI: 7.28 to 10.68) and Chengdu (OR: 2.28, 95%CI: 1.98 to 2.63) were more likely to wait longer than one week. These odds decreased for participants with master or above degree (reference: illiteracy and primary school), monthly household income from ¥5000 to ¥10,000 (reference: < ¥5000), and teacher or student (reference: farmer). Participants without brand preference (OR: 0.86, 95%CI: 0.77 to 0.95) were likely to wait shorter after appointment, while participants with higher risk awareness of domestic epidemic (medium, OR: 1.24, 95%CI: 1.12 to 1.37, reference: low) may wait longer.

CONCLUSIONS

The influential factors changed over two phases of vaccination process. Regional disparity affected both consideration and accessibility phases. Expect that, SES, and hesitancy were major factors of the consideration phase, but had limited impact on accessibility phase.