Abstract
(1) Background: By April 2021, over 160 million Chinese have been vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study analyzed the impact of vaccination on discrimination against recovered COVID-19 patients and the determinants of discrimination among intended vaccinated people. (2) Methods: A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data on COVID-19 associated discrimination from nine provinces in China. Pearson chi-square tests and a multivariate ordered logistic regression analyzed the determinants of COVID-19-related discrimination. (3) Results: People who intended to be COVID-19 vaccinated displayed a high level of discrimination against recovered COVID-19 patients, with only 37.74% of the intended vaccinated without any prejudice and 34.11% displaying severe discrimination. However, vaccinations reduced COVID-19-related discrimination against recovered COVID-19 patients from 79.76% to 62.26%. Sex, age, education level, occupation, geographical region, respondents’ awareness of vaccine effectiveness and infection risk, and COVID-19 knowledge score had a significant influence on the COVID-19 related discrimination (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Vaccination significantly reduced COVID-19 associated discrimination, but discrimination rates remained high. Among the intended vaccinated respondents, females, the older aged, people with high school and above education level, retirees, migrant workers, and residents in central China were identified as key targets for information campaigns to reduce COVID-19 related discrimination.
Highlights
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic impacted both the health and social well-being of populations in all countries [1]
Respondents mostly believed that the COVID-19 vaccine was effective (86.62%); 53.43% thought they were at medium or high risk of COVID-19 infection; and 56.75% of respondents reported they had previously paid for vaccines for their family members or themselves
Built with independent variables which had statistical significance in Pearson chisquare test in Table 2, a multivariate ordered logistic regression model in Table 4 analyzed the relationship between the COVID-19 related discrimination level and the independent variables for intended vaccinated respondents
Summary
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic impacted both the health and social well-being of populations in all countries [1]. In terms of social well-being, discrimination always follows the outbreak of infectious diseases, with the United Nations warning that “fear, rumors and stigma” would be a key challenge accompanying COVID-19 [2]. As of 1 April 2021, it has been estimated that over 100 million COVID-19 patients have recovered world-wide [3]. Laws have been enacted in China to protect patients with infectious diseases from discrimination, recovered COVID-19 sufferers are frequently unfairly treated in their everyday life, at work, in education and during their social interactions [5,6]. The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the United
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