ASPO Abstracts
COVID-19 vaccination intent, HPV vaccination receipt, and dimensions of vaccine hesitancy
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2022
Abstract Body:
Objective: To examine similarities and differences of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and receipt of the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention. Also, to assess dimensions of vaccine hesitancy prior to, and following, the release of the COVID-19 vaccine.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of vaccination attitudes and knowledge of young adults 18-26 years old (n = 2397) in 12 Mountain West states in the U.S. was conducted in October 2020 - April 2021. Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) identified scientifically meaningful covariates. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using penalized multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. A final model was chosen and effect measure modification (EMM) was examined. Dimensions of vaccine hesitancy included attitudes regarding vaccine effectiveness, safety, and trust in physicians and health authorities were compared for Oct. - Dec. 2020 and Jan. 2021 - April. 2021 using Pearson chi-square.Results: Those who received any dose of the HPV vaccine had 1.6 times the adjusted odds (95% CI, 1.3-1.9) of intent to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine compared with those who had not received any dose of the HPV vaccine. Being male (aOR = 1.4 [95% CI, 1.1-1.6]) and taking the survey Oct. - Dec. 2020 versus Jan. 2021 - April. 2021 (aOR=2.2 [95% CI, 1.8-2.6]) were associated with intent to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination. We did not find EMM in the HPV vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination intention relationship (P > 0.34). Disagreeing or being unsure of the effectiveness (24.5% v 75.5%, P<.001), protection conferred (15.4% v 84.6%, P<.0001), and safety (23.0% v 77.0%, P<.0001) of vaccines all increased after Dec. 2020, while distrust of physicians (21.9% v 78.1%, P<.0001) and health authorities (26.3% v 73.7%, P<.0001) grew. Conclusions: Results indicate that the decision-making process for intending to get a COVID-19 immunization and an HPV immunization are similar and that dimensions of vaccine hesitancy, including trust, are dynamic, suggesting that interventions to address vaccine hesitancy may improve both HPV and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Observed increases in vaccine complacency and decreases in trust of providers may result in increased infection burden.
Keywords: HPV Vaccination; Vaccine Hesitancy; COVID-19 Vaccination; Young Adults; Healthcare trust