Hesitancy to Receive the Booster Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Cancer Patients in China: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey — Four PLADs, China, 2022

Effectiveness of stage-of-change (SOC)-tailored interventions in increasing uptake of any type of vaccination: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant public health challenge globally, requiring innovative, evidence-based approaches to improve uptake. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of stage-of-change (SOC)-tailored interventions, the customized strategies based on an individual's readiness for behavioral changes, in promoting vaccination uptake. Data were synthesized from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental, and non-experimental studies identified through MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Global Health, and APA PsycInfo databases. Five eligible studies published between 2004 and 2023 were included, with three RCTs and one quasi-experimental study contributing to the meta-analysis. The pooled standard mean difference (SMD) for vaccination uptake was 0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49, 0.59, p < .001), indicating a significant medium effect size with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, p = .88). Subgroup analyses showed SOC-tailored interventions were particularly effective for older adults (SMD = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.92, p = .03) and for parents or caregivers to increase children's vaccination uptake (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.74, p = .02). These findings provided preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of SOC-tailored interventions in addressing vaccine hesitancy. Future research should explore geographically diverse settings and cost-effective delivery methods to maximize the impact.

Vaccination burnout impedes the compliance with multiple-dose administration of vaccines

Timely and complete administration of multiple-dose vaccines is essential to guarantee the efficacy. Our study aimed to investigate how people's vaccination attitudes changed over the course of the multi-dose vaccination schedule and comprehensively reported a phenomenon of vaccination burnout. The participants' vaccination burnout levels were quantified by our designed vaccination burnout scale. This study is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Among 3068 valid participants, 2991 had finished the routine two shots of COVID-19 vaccine, and 2367 had a positive attitude towards the primary doses of vaccination. Notably, 232 participants who previously had a positive attitude towards primary doses of vaccination refused to take additional multiple shots, and another 83 had changed their positive attitudes to negative, despite having taken the third shot. Participants whose attitudes or behaviors had changed had higher scores of vaccination burnout than those who still maintained a positive attitude (Z=-8.491, P < .001). The frequency of actively paying attention to the related disease news, occupation, monthly income, and residence of the participants were key factors associated with the vaccination burnout. Interventions should be implemented to alleviate the exhausted attitudes and improve people's compliance with vaccination schedules against the future pandemic.

Is COVID-19 Vaccination Beneficial for Tumor Patients: A Cross-Sectional Investigation in China

INTRODUCTION

Tumor patients take a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, high incidence of serious events, poor prognosis and high mortality in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, but there is still lack of supporting evidence that the COVID-19 vaccination is beneficial for tumor patients to encourage them to receive the vaccination.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shantou, China and questionnaires were collected in the hospitals from February 13, 2023 to April 23, 2023. Using the receiving of COVID-19 vaccination as the primary outcome, descriptive, univariate and multivariate analyses were generated.

RESULTS

161 out of 241 patients (66.80%) had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 61.00% patients had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Patients with general symptoms (p = 0.013) and others (p = 0.022) had a higher proportion of nonvaccinated patients than vaccinated ones. In the multivariate analysis, age (aOR = 0.971, 95% CI = 0.946-0.997, p = 0.031), the cognition of vaccines' impact on tumor treatment (aOR = 4.475, 95% CI = 1.772-11.299, p = 0.002), time since tumor diagnosis (aOR = 4.586, 95% CI = 2.122-9.909, p < 0.001) were identified as factors of COVID-19 vaccination uptake.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 vaccination in China offers numerous advantages for tumor patients, helping to alleviate symptoms following infection and potentially decreasing the chances of tumor metastasis and recurrence.

Parental Hesitancy toward Seasonal Influenza Vaccination for Children under the Age of 18 Years and Its Determinants in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Cross-Sectional Survey among 1175 Parents in China

Children's susceptibility to influenza increased after COVID-19 control measures were lifted. This study investigated parental hesitancy toward seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) for children and its determinants in the post-pandemic era. An online survey of full-time adult factory workers was conducted in Shenzhen, China in December 2023. This analysis was based on 1175 parents who had at least one child under the age of 18 years. Among all parents, 37.1% were hesitant to have their index child receive SIV. Mothers exhibited lower parental hesitancy toward SIV compared to fathers (31.9% versus 41.3%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for significant background characteristics, mothers and fathers who were more satisfied with the SIV health promotion materials, perceived more severe consequences of seasonal influenza for their children, and perceived more benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy related to their children's SIV were less likely to exhibit hesitancy toward SIV. Higher frequency of exposure to information about the increasing number of patients or severe cases due to seasonal influenza and other upper respiratory infections on social media was associated with lower parental hesitancy toward SIV among fathers but not mothers. There is a strong need to address parental hesitancy toward SIV for children in the post-pandemic era.

Willingness to receive the second booster of COVID-19 vaccine among older adults with cancer: a stratified analysis in four provinces of China

Background

Despite the elevated COVID-19 risk for older adults with cancer, vaccine hesitancy poses a significant barrier to their immunization. Intriguingly, there is limited research on the prevalence of willingness to receive the second booster dose and associated determinants in older adults with cancer.

Objective

Our objective was to ascertain the level of awareness about COVID-19 vaccines and to uncover the factors influencing the willingness to receive the second booster among Chinese cancer patients aged 65 years and over.

Methods

To achieve our objective, we conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in four tertiary hospitals from four provinces of China. This involved using a Health Belief Model (HBM) based self-administered questionnaire and medical records. Subsequently, we employed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors influencing the second COVID-19 booster vaccine willingness.

Results

Our results showed that among 893 eligible participants, 279 (31.24%) were aged 65 years and over, and 614 (68.76%) were younger. Interestingly, the willingness to receive the second COVID-19 booster vaccine was 34.1% (95/279) (OR: 1.043, 95% CI: 0.858, 1.267) in participants aged 65 years and over, which was similar to participants aged under 65 years (34.1% vs. 35.5%, p = 0.673). Furthermore, our findings revealed that a positive attitude toward the booster and recommendations from healthcare providers and family members were positively associated with vaccine willingness. Conversely, perceptions of negative impacts on cancer control and vaccine accessibility regarding the second COVID-19 booster were inversely related to the outcome event (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study concludes with the finding of a low willingness toward the second COVID-19 booster in Chinese cancer patients, particularly in the older adults, a fact which warrants attention. This reluctance raises their risk of infection and potential for severe outcomes. Consequently, we recommend using media and community outreach to dispel misconceptions, promote the booster's benefits, and encourage vaccine discussions with healthcare providers and family members.

Safety and immunogenicity of homologous prime-boost CoronaVac vaccine in people living with HIV in China: A multicenter prospective cohort study

People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2. This multicentre prospective cohort study evaluated the long-term immunogenicity and safety of a third homologous dose of Sinovac CoronaVac in PLWH in China. A total of 228 PLWH and 127 HIV-negative controls were finally included and followed up for 6 months. Fewer participants reported mild or moderate adverse reactions, and no serious adverse events were observed. The median levels of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and immunoglobulin G against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein (S-IgG) in PLWH (655.92 IU/mL, IQR: 175.76-1663.55; 206.83 IU/mL, IQR: 85.20-397.82) were comparable to those in control group (1067.16 IU/mL, IQR: 239.85-1670.83; 261.70 IU/mL, IQR: 77.13-400.75), and reached their peak at 4 weeks, exhibiting a delayed peak pattern compared to the 2-week peak in control group. After then, the immune titres gradually decreased over time, but most participants still maintained positive seroconversion at the 6-month mark. Multivariable generalized estimating equation analysis indicated that CD4+T cell count, HIV viral load, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) were independent factors strongly associated with immune response (each p < 0.05). We suggested that PLWH should maintain well-controlled HIV status through ART and receive timely administration of the second booster dose for optimal protection.

Willingness of people living with HIV to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected the global population, with People Living with HIV (PLWH) being particularly vulnerable due to their compromised immune systems. Although vaccination is a crucial preventative measure against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, little is understood about the willingness of PLWH to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose and the factors that may influence this decision. This study investigates the willingness of PLWH in China to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose and its influencing factors, comparing these with a group of healthy individuals.

Methods

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted across five Chinese cities, namely, Beijing, Tianjin, Zhengzhou, Hohhot, and Harbin. Participants were recruited through five community-based organizations. Data were collected via participant self-administered questionnaires included demographic information, willingness to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose, and knowledge about HIV and COVID-19 vaccination. Factors influencing vaccination willingness were identified using multivariable logistic regression analyzes.

Results

A total of 156 PLWH and 151 healthy individuals were included in the study. After adjusting for potential confounders, it was found that PLWH demonstrated a lower willingness to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose compared to healthy individuals (77.6% vs. 88.7%, p = 0.009). Lower willingness was associated with HIV positive status (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.20, 0.75), perceived barriers (AOR: 0.05, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.26), and perceived severity (AOR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.12, 0.90).

Conclusion

PLWH in China demonstrated a lower willingness to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose compared to healthy individuals. The findings suggest that perceptions and understanding of the COVID-19 vaccination and its necessity for protection against SARS-CoV-2 could influence this willingness. Efforts should be made to strengthen and disseminate knowledge about HIV and COVID-19 vaccinations among this population. In addition, developing interventions and policies that target specific subgroups and address misconceptions about vaccination could be instrumental in improving vaccination rates among PLWH.

Prevalence and factors of COVID-19 vaccine refusal among solid cancer patients in China: an application of the health belief model

Introduction

It is essential to protect cancer patients from contracting COVID-19 through vaccination. A majority of cancer patients are recommended by international health authorities to take up the vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine refusal among cancer patients during the pandemic period is under-researched. This study investigated factors of vaccine refusal based on the Health Belief Model (HBM).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among female breast cancer patients, male/female thyroid cancer patients, and gynecological cancer patients in Shantou, China from April to August 2022 (n = 1,115). Multinomial logistic regression analysis adjusted for socio-demographics was conducted to test factors of COVID-19. Adjusted odds ratios of the two models comparing vaccine refusal vs. "vaccine non-refusal" and vaccine refusal vs. ever-vaccination were derived and presented.

Results

Of all the participants, the prevalence of vaccine refusal, "vaccine non-refusal," and ever-vaccination was 25.9, 22.2, and 51.8%, respectively. In both multinomial logistic regression models, significant factors of vaccine refusal included socio-demographics (age, education level, employment status, monthly household income, cancer type, duration since cancer diagnosis, current treatment status) and some vaccine-related HBM (perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cue to action, and self-efficacy). Perceived severity of COVID-19 was significant only in the vaccine refusal vs. ever-vaccination model. In neither model, perceived susceptibility to contract COVID-19 was statistically significant.

Conclusion

About ¼ of the participants expressed vaccine refusal. Interventions are warranted. Future longitudinal studies are needed to verify this study's findings. Pilot interventions should also be launched to test effectiveness of interventions modifying the significant HBM factors found in this study.