Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy in China: A Qualitative Study

doi:10.3390/vaccines9111291

. 2021 Nov 7;9(11):1291.

doi: 10.3390/vaccines9111291.

Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy in China: A Qualitative Study

Jianli Wang^{1

2}, Qianqian Ji^{1

2}, Shuheng Dong^{1

2}, Shuangyu Zhao^{1

2}, Xinchen Li^{1

2}, Qiuqi Zhu^{1

2}, Sigui Long^{1

2}, Jingjing Zhang³, Hui Jin^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
² Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China.
³ Department of Sociology, School of Humanities, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.

PMID: 34835221
PMCID: PMC8622488
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111291

Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy in China: A Qualitative Study

Jianli Wang et al. Vaccines (Basel). 2021.

. 2021 Nov 7;9(11):1291.

doi: 10.3390/vaccines9111291.

Authors

Jianli Wang^{1

2}, Qianqian Ji^{1

2}, Shuheng Dong^{1

2}, Shuangyu Zhao^{1

2}, Xinchen Li^{1

2}, Qiuqi Zhu^{1

2}, Sigui Long^{1

2}, Jingjing Zhang³, Hui Jin^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
² Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210009, China.
³ Department of Sociology, School of Humanities, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.

PMID: 34835221
PMCID: PMC8622488
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111291

Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy has become a significant issue. We aimed to elucidate the factors influencing vaccine hesitation in Chinese residents and to analyze and recommend promotional strategies and measures. In total, 92 Chinese residents from 10 provinces were interviewed using semi-structured face-to-face interviews following a predetermined survey framework in this qualitative study. We found trust in vaccine safety, access to professional advice, and vaccine price and effectiveness to be the main factors influencing vaccine hesitation. Additionally, residents in areas with a higher per capita GDP tend to receive more social support, believe that vaccination is beneficial and can prevent diseases, pay more attention to whether the vaccine is safe and has undergone various clinical trials, and are more likely to seek advice from individuals with vaccination experience as opposed to their counterparts in areas with a lower per capita GDP. Notably, as per capita GDP rises, individuals become more concerned about the price of vaccines. Measures such as clarifying vaccine safety and effectiveness, reducing self-funded vaccine prices, offering free vaccination for special groups, strengthening the publicity role of medical staff, and taking advantage of network platforms are essential to reduce vaccine hesitancy among Chinese residents.

Keywords: COVID-19; Chinese adults; qualitative study; vaccine hesitancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Wheel diagram of factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in China.

**Figure 2**
Frequency distribution of factors influencing vaccine hesitancy based on the 2020 per capita gross domestic product of each province according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China [18].

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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[1] WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. [(accessed on 18 September 2021)]. Available online: https://covid19.who.int/

[2] WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. [(accessed on 18 September 2021)]. Available online: https://covid19.who.int/

[3] Rehm K.E., Connor R.F., Jones G.J.B., Yimbu K., Mannie M.D., Roper R.L. Vaccinia virus decreases major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen presentation, T-cell priming, and peptide association with MHC class II. Immunology. 2009;128:381–392. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2009.03120.x. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[4] Rehm K.E., Connor R.F., Jones G.J.B., Yimbu K., Mannie M.D., Roper R.L. Vaccinia virus decreases major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen presentation, T-cell priming, and peptide association with MHC class II. Immunology. 2009;128:381–392. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2009.03120.x. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[5] Mendonça S.A., Lorincz R., Boucher P., Curiel D.T. Adenoviral vector vaccine platforms in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. NPJ Vaccines. 2021;6:1–14. doi: 10.1038/s41541-021-00356-x. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[6] Mendonça S.A., Lorincz R., Boucher P., Curiel D.T. Adenoviral vector vaccine platforms in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. NPJ Vaccines. 2021;6:1–14. doi: 10.1038/s41541-021-00356-x. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[7] Sallam M., Dababseh D., Eid H., Al-Mahzoum K., Al-Haidar A., Taim D., Yaseen A., Ababneh N.A., Bakri F.G., Mahafzah A. High rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its association with conspiracy beliefs: A study in jordan and kuwait among other arab countries. Vaccines. 2021;9:42. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9010042. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[8] Sallam M., Dababseh D., Eid H., Al-Mahzoum K., Al-Haidar A., Taim D., Yaseen A., Ababneh N.A., Bakri F.G., Mahafzah A. High rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its association with conspiracy beliefs: A study in jordan and kuwait among other arab countries. Vaccines. 2021;9:42. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9010042. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[9] Murphy J., Vallières F., Bentall R.P., Shevlin M., McBride O., Hartman T.K., McKay R., Bennett K., Mason L., Gibson-Miller J., et al. Psychological characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Nat. Commun. 2021;12:1–15. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20226-9. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[10] Murphy J., Vallières F., Bentall R.P., Shevlin M., McBride O., Hartman T.K., McKay R., Bennett K., Mason L., Gibson-Miller J., et al. Psychological characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Nat. Commun. 2021;12:1–15. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20226-9. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy in China: A Qualitative Study

Affiliations

Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy in China: A Qualitative Study

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

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References

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