Factors associated with the COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the United States

Young adults experience high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence yet have the lowest vaccination and booster rates among adults. Understanding the factors influencing their intentions regarding boosters is essential for crafting effective public health strategies. We examined the psychosoc...

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Main Authors: Hyunmin Yu, Stephen Bonett, Ufuoma Oyiborhoro, Subhash Aryal, Melanie Kornides, Karen Glanz, Antonia Villarruel, José Bauermeister
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2383016
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author Hyunmin Yu
Stephen Bonett
Ufuoma Oyiborhoro
Subhash Aryal
Melanie Kornides
Karen Glanz
Antonia Villarruel
José Bauermeister
author_facet Hyunmin Yu
Stephen Bonett
Ufuoma Oyiborhoro
Subhash Aryal
Melanie Kornides
Karen Glanz
Antonia Villarruel
José Bauermeister
author_sort Hyunmin Yu
collection DOAJ
description Young adults experience high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence yet have the lowest vaccination and booster rates among adults. Understanding the factors influencing their intentions regarding boosters is essential for crafting effective public health strategies. We examined the psychosocial factors (attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control) associated with their intentions to receive a COVID-19 booster. This cross-sectional study included 292 young adults aged 18–25 residing in Philadelphia who completed an online survey from September 2021 and February 2022 (mean age 21.98, standard deviation 2.25; 51% racial/ethnic minorities). The survey included measures of attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control related to COVID-19 vaccination. We employed structural equation modeling analysis to examine the intention of young adults to receive the COVID-19 booster and their vaccine-related attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control. Covariates included race/ethnicity and gender. Subjective norms were significantly associated with the intention to receive a COVID-19 booster (standardized β̂ = 0.685, p = .018). Attitudes and perceived behavioral control showed no significant association with intention. Subgroup analyses based on race/ethnicity revealed that attitudes (standardized β̂ = 0.488, p = .004) and subjective norms (standardized β̂ = 0.451, p = .050) were predictors among young adults from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, while only subjective norms (standardized β̂ = 1.104, p = .002) were significant for non-Hispanic White young adults. Public health efforts should prioritize engaging healthcare providers and peer groups in order to influence subjective norms and promote collective responsibility and acceptance for vaccination. Tailored interventions and diverse communication strategies targeting specific subgroups of young adults may be useful to ensure comprehensive and effective vaccination initiatives.
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spelling doaj-art-6c025ff8fdf840299dc49ae6a36bfe632025-08-20T02:01:20ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics2164-55152164-554X2024-12-0120110.1080/21645515.2024.2383016Factors associated with the COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the United StatesHyunmin Yu0Stephen Bonett1Ufuoma Oyiborhoro2Subhash Aryal3Melanie Kornides4Karen Glanz5Antonia Villarruel6José Bauermeister7School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USASchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USASchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USASchool of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USASchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USASchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USASchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USASchool of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USAYoung adults experience high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence yet have the lowest vaccination and booster rates among adults. Understanding the factors influencing their intentions regarding boosters is essential for crafting effective public health strategies. We examined the psychosocial factors (attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control) associated with their intentions to receive a COVID-19 booster. This cross-sectional study included 292 young adults aged 18–25 residing in Philadelphia who completed an online survey from September 2021 and February 2022 (mean age 21.98, standard deviation 2.25; 51% racial/ethnic minorities). The survey included measures of attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control related to COVID-19 vaccination. We employed structural equation modeling analysis to examine the intention of young adults to receive the COVID-19 booster and their vaccine-related attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control. Covariates included race/ethnicity and gender. Subjective norms were significantly associated with the intention to receive a COVID-19 booster (standardized β̂ = 0.685, p = .018). Attitudes and perceived behavioral control showed no significant association with intention. Subgroup analyses based on race/ethnicity revealed that attitudes (standardized β̂ = 0.488, p = .004) and subjective norms (standardized β̂ = 0.451, p = .050) were predictors among young adults from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, while only subjective norms (standardized β̂ = 1.104, p = .002) were significant for non-Hispanic White young adults. Public health efforts should prioritize engaging healthcare providers and peer groups in order to influence subjective norms and promote collective responsibility and acceptance for vaccination. Tailored interventions and diverse communication strategies targeting specific subgroups of young adults may be useful to ensure comprehensive and effective vaccination initiatives.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2383016Emerging adultyoung adulttheory of planned behaviorvaccine hesitancyCOVID-19booster vaccine
spellingShingle Hyunmin Yu
Stephen Bonett
Ufuoma Oyiborhoro
Subhash Aryal
Melanie Kornides
Karen Glanz
Antonia Villarruel
José Bauermeister
Factors associated with the COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the United States
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
Emerging adult
young adult
theory of planned behavior
vaccine hesitancy
COVID-19
booster vaccine
title Factors associated with the COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the United States
title_full Factors associated with the COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the United States
title_fullStr Factors associated with the COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the United States
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with the COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the United States
title_short Factors associated with the COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the United States
title_sort factors associated with the covid 19 booster vaccine intentions of young adults in the united states
topic Emerging adult
young adult
theory of planned behavior
vaccine hesitancy
COVID-19
booster vaccine
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21645515.2024.2383016
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