Demographic Characteristics Associated With Intentions to Receive the 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccine.

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna on September 11, 2023. Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation that everyone aged ≥6 years receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine, the general public's intentions to receive the new 2023-2024 vaccine are unknown.

METHODS

Intentions to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine and the demographic predictors of those intentions were assessed from a survey of adult residents, aged ≥18 years, of Los Angeles County, California conducted in October 2023.

RESULTS

Of the 1,090 participants, 701 (64.3%) indicated they were planning on receiving the new COVID-19 vaccine, 217 (19.9%) responded no, and 172 (15.8%) were unsure. Male gender (versus female); age groups of 50-64 and ≥65 years (versus 18-29 years); and ≥$100,000 household income (versus ≤$49,999) were associated with higher odds of reporting yes than reporting no regarding their vaccination intentions. Asian and Hispanic race/ethnicity (versus Non-Hispanic White) were associated with higher odds of indicating not sure than the odds of indicating no vaccination intentions. A significantly higher proportion of not-sure respondents reported "I plan to wait and see if it is safe and may get it later", whereas a significantly higher proportion of no respondents reported "I don't believe I need a COVID-19 vaccine booster" and "I don't trust COVID-19 vaccines."

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates demographic differences in attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination intentions and highlights the importance of promotional messages and initiatives that target more hesitant populations. These messages should address possible side effects and vaccine safety.