Choosing Between Homologous or Heterologous COVID-19 Vaccination Regimens: A Cross-Sectional Study Among the General Population in Italy

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2022 Mar 10

PMID 35270636

Authors

Marco Clari

Alessandro Godono

Beatrice Albanesi

Elena Casabona

Rosanna Irene Comoretto

Ihab Mansour

Alessio Conti

Valerio Dimonte

Catalina Ciocan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

A shortage of COVID-19 vaccines and reports of side-effects led several countries to recommend a heterologous regimen for second vaccine doses. This study aimed to describe the reasons behind individuals’ choices of a homologous or a heterologous second vaccination. This cross-sectional study enrolled individuals under 60 who had received a first dose of Vaxzevria and could choose between a homologous or heterologous regimen for their second dose. Quantitative (socio-demographic, clinical characteristics) and qualitative data were collected and analysed through a generalized linear model and thematic analysis, respectively. Of the 1437 individuals included in the analysis, the majority (76.1%) chose a heterologous second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. More females chose a heterologous vaccination regimen (p = 0.003). Younger individuals also tended to choose heterologous vaccination (p < 0.001). The main motivation in favour of heterologous vaccination was to follow the Italian Ministry of Health recommendations (n = 118; 53.9%). This study showed that most individuals, mainly younger people and females, chose a heterologous dose of COVID-19 vaccination after their first viral vector vaccine. Heterologous vaccinations could be an effective public health measure to control the pandemic as they are a safe and efficient alternative to homologous regimens.

Citing Articles

Safety of heterologous ChAdOx1-S/BNT162b2 primary schedule versus homologous BNT162b2 vaccination: Insights from an Italian post-marketing study, 2021.

Fortunato F, Prato R, Iannelli G, Ascatigno L, Loconsole D, Lopalco P Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023; 19(1):2209919.

PMID: 37226552 PMC: 10294748. DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2209919.

Willingness of college students to receive COVID-19 heterologous vaccination in Taizhou, China.

Shao H, Lin X, Chen Y, Lv L, Ying C, Tung T Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023; 19(1):2158012.

PMID: 36606519 PMC: 9980617. DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2158012.

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