Do Side Effects to the Primary COVID-19 Vaccine Reduce Intentions for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster?

Andrew L Geers; Kelly S Clemens; Ben Colagiuri; Emily Jason; Luana Colloca; Rebecca Webster; Lene Vase; Mette Seig; Kate Faasse

doi:10.1093/abm/kaac027

Do Side Effects to the Primary COVID-19 Vaccine Reduce Intentions for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster?

Ann Behav Med. 2022 Aug 2;56(8):761-768. doi: 10.1093/abm/kaac027.

Authors

Andrew L Geers¹, Kelly S Clemens¹, Ben Colagiuri², Emily Jason¹, Luana Colloca³, Rebecca Webster⁴, Lene Vase⁵, Mette Seig⁵, Kate Faasse⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
² School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Departments of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland, Bethesda, MD, USA.
⁴ Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
⁵ Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
⁶ School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Vaccines are being administered worldwide to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine boosters are essential for maintaining immunity and protecting against virus variants. The side effects of the primary COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., headache, nausea), however, could reduce intentions to repeat the vaccination experience, thereby hindering global inoculation efforts.

Purpose: The aim of this research was to test whether side effects of a primary COVID-19 vaccine relate to reduced intentions to receive a COVID-19 booster. The secondary aim was to test whether psychological and demographic factors predict booster intentions.

Methods: Secondary data analyses were conducted on a U.S. national sample of 551 individuals recruited through the online platform Prolific. Key measures in the dataset were side effects reported from a primary COVID-19 vaccination and subsequent intentions to receive a booster vaccine. Psychological and demographic variables that predicted primary vaccination intentions in prior studies were also measured.

Results: Booster intentions were high. COVID-19 booster vaccine intentions were uncorrelated with the number of side effects, intensity of side effects, or occurrence of an intense side effect from the primary COVID-19 vaccine. Correlational and regression analyses indicated intentions for a booster vaccination increased with positive vaccination attitudes, trust in vaccine development, worry about the COVID-19 pandemic, low concern over vaccine side effects, and democratic political party affiliation.

Conclusions: Side effects of a primary COVID-19 vaccine were not directly associated with lower intentions to receive a booster of the COVID-19 vaccine early in the pandemic. However, many variables that predict primary vaccination intentions also predict booster intentions.

Keywords: Booster; COVID-19; Intentions; Reactogenicity; Side effects; Vaccine.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Vaccines / adverse effects
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Humans
Immunization, Secondary
Intention
Pandemics
Vaccines*

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines

Supplementary concepts

COVID-19 vaccine booster shot