Influencing factors of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among adults in Taiwan, China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The promotion of the COVID-19 vaccine is key to controlling the spread of COVID-19. One of the most significant obstacles in tackling the pandemic is vaccine hesitancy. While many published studies have examined vaccine hesitancy among adults, there is a dearth of such studies exploring vaccine hesitancy among adults in Taiwan, China.Study design and Methods We surveyed 384 adults in Taiwan from July 14 to September 23, 2021. Using a Chi-square test and a binary logistic regression, we examined the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the factors influencing this. In addition, we summarized the regional differences in vaccine hesitancy across China that was reported by previous research.Results Overall, 64.3% of participants were hesitant to be vaccinated. Gender and perception of the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine was identified as a risk factor for vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, hesitancy in mainland China was found to be lower than that in Taiwan and Hong Kong.Conclusion The results of this study highlight the attitudes of the adults towards vaccination and the factors that influence it. The results can inform the government’s development of epidemic prevention and control policies that would improve vaccine uptake.