The relationship between influenza vaccine hesitancy and vaccine literacy among youth and adults in China.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess influenza vaccine hesitancy and vaccine literacy levels among youth and adults in China, as well as the association between them. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Mainland China. Participants' total vaccine literacy and three sub-dimension vaccine literacy (knowledge literacy, competence literacy, and decision-making literacy) were assessed by a validated vaccine literacy scale. Having received influenza vaccination in the past three years or intending to accept it in next influenza season indicates less influenza vaccine hesitancy. Results: Among 997 participants, a sub-optimal vaccine literacy was observed, with a mean score of 66.83 ± 10.27. Regression models 1-4 revealed that participants with middle (aOR 1.431, P=0.039, 95% CI 1.018~2.010) or high (aOR 1.651, P=0.006, 95% CI 1.157~2.354) total vaccine literacy, as well as those with high competence literacy (aOR 1.533, P=0.017, 95% CI 1.079~2.180), or high decision-making literacy (aOR 1.822, P=0.001, 95% CI 1.261~2.632) were more likely to have been vaccinated against influenza at least once in past three years. However, those with a high knowledge literacy were associated with a lower influenza vaccine rate (aOR 0.676, P=0.046, 95% CI 0.460~0.994). Regression models 5-8 revealed that participants with middle (aOR 1.661, P=0.008, 95% CI 1.142~2.414) or high total vaccine literacy (aOR 2.645, P=0.000, 95% CI 1.774~3.942), as well as those with middle (aOR 1.703, P=0.005, 95% CI 1.177~2.464) or high competence literacy (aOR 2.346, P=0.000, 95% CI 1.159~3.461), or high decision-making literacy (aOR 2.294, P=0.000, 95% CI 1.531~3.436) were more likely to express the willingness to receive the influenza vaccine in the next influenza season. Conclusion: The participants' influenza vaccine hesitancy was negatively associated with their total vaccine literacy levels and two of the three sub-dimensions competence literacy and decision-making literacy. Knowledge literacy suggested a positive or no relationship with influenza vaccine hesitancy.