JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The imperative arises to study the impact of socioeconomic factors on the acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccines amidst changes in immunization policies within the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective:

To enhance targeted public health strategies and improve age–specific policies based on identified risk factors, this study investigated the associations between sociodemographic factors and vaccination behaviors during the COVID–19 pandemic, with emphasis on age–specific vaccine cost policies.

Methods:

This study analyzed data from the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) 2019–2022 with 507,964 participants. Cohorts aged 19–64 and 65 or older were stratified based on age (years), sociodemographic factors, and health indicators. The cohorts were investigated to assess the influence of relevant risk factors on vaccine acceptance under the pandemic by employing weighted odds ratio and ratio of odd ratios (ROR).

Results:

The acceptance of SARS–CoV–2 vaccine was higher among individuals with factors possibly indicating higher socioeconomic status, such as higher education level (age 19–64: ROR, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.27–1.40]; age ≥65: 1.19 [1.01–1.41]) and higher income (age 19–64: 1.67 [1.58–1.76]; age ≥65, 1.21 [1.06–1.38]) for both age cohorts, compared to influenza vaccine acceptance before the pandemic. In the context of influenza vaccination during the pandemic, the older cohort exhibited vaccine hesitancy associated with healthcare mobility factors such as lower general health status (ROR, 0.89 [0.81–0.97]).

Conclusions:

SARS–CoV–2 vaccination strategies should focus on reducing hesitancy among individuals with lower social participation is needed. For influenza vaccine acceptance during the pandemic, strategies for the younger cohort should be targeted on individuals with lower social participation, while the older cohort should be emphasized on individuals with lower healthcare mobility.