Abstract
Understanding the public’s attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination and their acceptance could help facilitate the COVID-19 rollout. This study aimed to assess the acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine among migrants in Shanghai, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2126 migrants in Shanghai for the period 1–20 November 2020. Convenience sampling was used to recruit respondents in workplaces with large numbers of migrant workers. Multivariable (ordered) logistic regressions were used to examine factors associated with acceptance and WTP of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most (89.1%) migrants would accept COVID-19 vaccination. Over 90.0% perceived the COVID-19 vaccine as important, while only 75.0% and 77.7% perceived vaccines safe and effective. Socio-demographic factors were not significantly associated with vaccine acceptance, but confidence in the importance (OR 8.71, 95% CI 5.89–12.89), safety (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.24–2.61) and effectiveness (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.83–3.87) of COVID-19 vaccine was significantly positively associated with vaccine acceptance. The top reasons for vaccine hesitancy were lack of vaccine information and confidence. The proportion of those definitely willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine was 20% lower if paid by themselves than free vaccination. Migrants were willing to pay a median amount of USD 46 for the COVID-19 vaccine. Results show that a high acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine was universal among migrants in Shanghai. Concerns about vaccine safety, effectiveness and high costs of the COVID-19 vaccine may hinder their uptake. Effective health communication to build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine and subsidies toward the costs of these vaccines are needed to improve uptake.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused around 140 million cases and 3 million death worldwide as of April 2021 [1]
Our study examined migrants’ attitudes toward, acceptance of and willingness to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine in Shanghai, China
We found a high acceptance of COVID19 vaccination among this migrant population, with a majority (89.1%) willing to be vaccinated, no matter their socio-demographic characteristics
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused around 140 million cases and 3 million death worldwide as of April 2021 [1]. Since no effective antiviral treatment for COVID-19 is currently available, vaccination against COVID-19 is essential to controlling the pandemic [2]. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered intense global research and development activities aimed at developing effective vaccines against the disease. 88 vaccine candidates with multiple techniques have entered into clinical trials as of April 2021 [3]. Several vaccines have finished their phase III clinical trials, and have been approved for use in many countries [4]. In China, the government authorized the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine in October 2020, which is voluntary and costs approximately Chinese Yuan (CNY) 400 (USD 61), and further approved for use on 30 December 2020 [5]
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