Monkeypox awareness and low vaccination hesitancy among men who have sex with men in China

Abstract

AbstractMen who have sex with men (MSM) have been recommended for targeted monkeypox vaccination. We aimed to investigate monkeypox awareness and explore the correlates of monkeypox vaccination hesitancy among MSM in China. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey from August 10 to September 9, 2022. Awareness related to monkeypox and attitude toward monkeypox vaccination among MSM aged ≥18 years were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to evaluate correlates of vaccination hesitancy. The discrepancy in awareness between subgroups regarding HIV status was assessed. A total of 1090 MSM were included (age: median 30 years, interquartile range [IQR], 25–35; HIV‐infected: 53.12%). Only 13.85% of respondents expressed high monkeypox vaccination hesitancy. Hesitancy was associated with no fixed income (adjuster odds ratio [aOR], 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48–4.11), infrequent information following (sometimes, 3.01, 1.55–5.83; seldom or never, 5.66, 2.58–12.45), and lack of worries about monkeypox endemic (1.78, 1.11–2.87). Participants who believed that HIV‐infected cases accounted for a smaller proportion (1.62, 1.01–2.60), disagreed that monkeypox virus could be detected in semen (2.21, 1.26–3.88), and considered either replication‐competent (1.84, 1.14–2.96) or replication‐deficient (4.80, 2.26–10.21) monkeypox vaccine unsuitable for HIV‐infected people were generally more hesitant. Compared with HIV‐uninfected MSM, HIV‐infected MSM supported more for vaccination promotion. MSM in China had low hesitancy toward monkeypox vaccination. Safety and affordability of vaccine and availability of information were essential aspects to reduce hesitancy. Education on vaccination benefits should be encouraged to promote future vaccination plans.