Exploring the Influencing Factors of COVID-19 Vaccination Willingness among Young Adults in China

Yue Su; Sijia Li; Feng Huang; Jia Xue; Tingshao Zhu

doi:10.3390/ijerph20053960

Author(s)

Yue Su
Sijia Li
Feng Huang
Jia Xue
Tingshao Zhu

Detail(s)

Original language	English
Article number	3960
Journal / Publication	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume	20
Issue number	5
Online published	23 Feb 2023
Publication status	Published - Mar 2023
Externally published	Yes

Link(s)

DOI	DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053960 Final Published version
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Attachment(s)	Documents 240434687.pdf Final Published version, 953 KB, PDF Publisher's Copyright Statement This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Link to Scopus	https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85149964081&origin=recordpage
Permanent Link	https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(ed183d43-3fa9-4e78-be27-e31ffac285cc).html

Abstract

Vaccine uptake is considered as one of the most effective methods of defending against COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). However, many young adults are hesitant regarding COVID-19 vaccines, and they actually play an important role in virus transmission. Based on a multi-theory model, this study aims to explore the influencing factors related to COVID-19 vaccine willingness among young adults in China. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explored the factors that would motivate young adults with vaccine hesitancy to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data with topic modeling as a complementarity method. After comparing the differences and similarities of results generated by thematic analysis and topic modeling, this study ultimately identified ten key factors related to COVID-19 vaccination intention, including the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, application range of vaccine, etc. This study combined thematic analysis with machine learning and provided a comprehensive and nuanced picture of facilitating factors for COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Chinese young adults. Results may be taken as potential themes for authorities and public health workers in vaccination campaigns. © 2023 by the authors.