Comment on Alley, S.J., et al. As the Pandemic Progresses, How Does Willingness to Vaccinate against COVID-19 Evolve? Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 797

Willingness to receive an annual COVID-19 booster vaccine in the German-speaking D-A-CH region in Europe: A cross-sectional study

Background

Emergence of new coronavirus variants and waning immunity may necessitate regular COVID-19 vaccine boosters, but empirical data on population willingness for regular vaccination are limited.

Methods

In August 2021, we surveyed 3,067 quota-sampled German-speaking adults residing in the D-A-CH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Using multivariable adjusted ordered logistic regression models we calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to assess factors associated with willingness to vaccinate annually against COVID-19.

Findings

Among 2,480 participants vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated, 82·4% indicated willingness to receive annual COVID-19 boosters. This willingness was higher in Austria (OR=1·47, 95% CI, 1·19-1·82; p < 0·001) and Germany (OR=1·98, 95% CI, 1·60-2·45; p < 0·001) versus Switzerland and increased with age. Having voted in the last national election (ORopposition party voters=1·51, 95% CI=1·18-1·92; p = 0·001 and ORgoverning party voters=1·57, 95% CI=1·28-1·93; p < 0·001, versus non-voters) and not regularly participating in religious meetings (OR=1·37, 95% CI=1·08-1·73; p = 0·009, versus participation at least monthly) were significantly associated with willingness to vaccinate, as was partial (OR=1·97, 95% CI=1·43-2·72; p < 0·001) or total (OR=5·20, 95% CI=3·76-7·19; p < 0·001) approval of COVID-19 mitigation measures (versus non-approval). By country, Austrians showed the strongest association of voting behavior and mitigation measure approval with willingness to vaccinate.

Interpretation

Targeted promotion programs informed by political and religious engagement and mitigation measure approval are needed to increase willingness to receive regular COVID-19 boosters.

Funding

Medical University of Vienna, Department of Epidemiology, Danube University Krems, Department for Knowledge and Communication Management; Austrian Society of Epidemiology.

Side Effects of Mixing Vaccines against COVID-19 Infection among Saudi Population

Background: Mixing two different vaccines has been utilized to minimize the impact of any supply chain interruptions and to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. We conducted this study to evaluate the side effects, if any, associated with the mixed vaccination approach. Methods: An online survey study was administered among COVID-19 vaccine recipients in Saudi Arabia. Symptoms post vaccination were assessed in 311 vaccinated participants with two matched doses of either Oxford–AstraZeneca or Pfizer–BioNTech vaccines, or two mixed doses, respectively. Results: After the second dose, around 31% of the matched vaccine group reported no symptoms, while only 6% of the mixed vaccine group reported no symptoms. Most of the side effects after the second dose associated with matched vaccines were injection site pain (46%), while the mixed vaccines group reported significantly more symptoms compared with the matched vaccine group, which included fever (41%), fatigue (66%), muscle pain (44%), chills (17%) and injection site pain (60%). Conclusion: The data suggest the overall safety of the mixed vaccination protocol; however, it might be associated with side effects such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, and injection site pain. Further studies with a larger cohort size could shed more light on this aspect, which would be imperative for deciding to utilize a mixed vaccination approach.