TY - JOUR
T1 - Differences in non-positive intention to accept the COVID-19 booster vaccine between three countries in the cross-border region Meuse-Rhine Euroregion
T2 - The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany
AU - van Bilsen, C. line J. A.
AU - Stabourlos, Christina
AU - Moonen, Chrissy P. B.
AU - Brinkhues, Stephanie
AU - Demarest, Stefaan
AU - Hanssen, Daniëlle A. T.
AU - van Loo, Inge H. M.
AU - Savelkoul, Paul H. M.
AU - Philippsen, Dirk
AU - van der Zanden, Brigitte A. M.
AU - Dukers-Muijrers, Nicole H. T. M.
AU - Hoebe, Christian J. P. A.
N1 - Funding Information:
We wish to thank all participants in the study and the partners involved in this project: euPrevent Foundation, Maastricht UMC+, Gesundheitsamt des Kreises Düren (Health Department of Düren District), Gesundheitsamt des Kreises Heinsberg (Health Department of Heinsberg District), Gesundheitsamt der Städte-Region Aachen (Health Department of the Aachen Municipality), Sciensano, and the German-speaking Community of Belgium.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors
PY - 2023/8/1
Y1 - 2023/8/1
N2 - COVID-19 booster vaccination has shown to add to the protection against infection with SARS-CoV2 and subsequent severe disease. This longitudinal cross-border study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions in an initially vaccinated adult population living in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion (EMR; including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany) and differences between countries. Data collection took place in autumn of 2021 and consisted of online questionnaires sent to a random sample of the population based on governmental registries. Data from 3,319 fully and partially vaccinated adults were used to examine determinants of non-positive intention for a booster vaccination (i.e., uncertain or do not want), using multivariable logistic regression analyses weighted by age group, sex, and country. Compared to German residents, Dutch residents (OR = 2.4) and Belgian residents (OR = 1.4) were more likely to be uncertain or not want to receive a booster vaccine in September-October 2021. Factors independently associated with non-positive intention were female sex (OR = 1.6), absence of comorbidities (OR = 1.3), time since last vaccination less than 3 months ago for those fully vaccinated (OR = 1.6), being partially vaccinated (OR = 3.6), a negative experience with communication of COVID-19 measures (OR = 2.2), and regarding measures as ineffective (OR = 1.1). Results indicate that booster vaccine intentions differ between countries in the cross border Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. Non-positive intention for the booster vaccine is prevalent in all three countries of the EMR, but to a different extent, as shown in this study. Cross-border collaboration and sharing information and knowledge about vaccination strategies could play a role in limiting the impact of COVID-19.
AB - COVID-19 booster vaccination has shown to add to the protection against infection with SARS-CoV2 and subsequent severe disease. This longitudinal cross-border study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions in an initially vaccinated adult population living in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion (EMR; including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany) and differences between countries. Data collection took place in autumn of 2021 and consisted of online questionnaires sent to a random sample of the population based on governmental registries. Data from 3,319 fully and partially vaccinated adults were used to examine determinants of non-positive intention for a booster vaccination (i.e., uncertain or do not want), using multivariable logistic regression analyses weighted by age group, sex, and country. Compared to German residents, Dutch residents (OR = 2.4) and Belgian residents (OR = 1.4) were more likely to be uncertain or not want to receive a booster vaccine in September-October 2021. Factors independently associated with non-positive intention were female sex (OR = 1.6), absence of comorbidities (OR = 1.3), time since last vaccination less than 3 months ago for those fully vaccinated (OR = 1.6), being partially vaccinated (OR = 3.6), a negative experience with communication of COVID-19 measures (OR = 2.2), and regarding measures as ineffective (OR = 1.1). Results indicate that booster vaccine intentions differ between countries in the cross border Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. Non-positive intention for the booster vaccine is prevalent in all three countries of the EMR, but to a different extent, as shown in this study. Cross-border collaboration and sharing information and knowledge about vaccination strategies could play a role in limiting the impact of COVID-19.
KW - COVID-19
KW - COVID-19 vaccines
KW - Intention
KW - Logistic models
KW - Pandemics
KW - Surveys and questionnaires
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85153537529&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100306
DO - 10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100306
M3 - Article
C2 - 37113740
SN - 2590-1362
VL - 14
JO - Vaccine: X
JF - Vaccine: X
M1 - 100306
ER -