Unraveling Herpes Zoster Vaccine Hesitancy, Acceptance, and Its Predictors: Insights From a Scoping Review

Overview

Journal Public Health Rev

Specialty Public Health

Date 2024 Aug 8

PMID 39113825

Authors

Xiaolong Wang

Shuhui Shang

Enming Zhang

Zhengyue Dai

Yufei Xing

Jiale Hu

Yaojuan Gao

Qiong Fang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: Herpes zoster vaccination is critical in preventing herpes zoster virus infection and its associated consequences. Despite its relevance, global herpes zoster immunisation coverage remains alarmingly low. Understanding the factors that drive vaccine scepticism and acceptance is crucial for increasing immunisation rates and improving public health outcomes.

Methods: This scoping review, following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, included 18 studies examining vaccine hesitancy, acceptance, and associated factors. Meticulous data analysis revealed hesitancy's intricate dynamics across countries and demographics.

Results: Studies displayed a wide range of acceptance rates (2.8%-89.02%), showcasing the complex interplay of attitudes and behaviors towards vaccination. Reasons for vaccine refusal were repeatedly identified in this setting, including worries about potential adverse effects, views of vaccine necessity, and vaccine supply constraints. Notably, individuals' patterns of vaccine acceptance and hesitancy differed among countries, vaccines, and vaccination-related factors.

Conclusion: Addressing acceptance hurdles by improving accessibility, providing accurate information, and strengthening healthcare recommendations is crucial. Understanding the multifaceted factors influencing hesitancy allows for targeted interventions, elevating immunization rates and enhancing public health globally.

Citing Articles

Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Healthcare Workers on the Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Moustafa N, Alsaif N, Alsaeed E, Alanezi A, Algarni A, Alkathery L Cureus. 2025; 17(1):e77302.

PMID: 39944423 PMC: 11821283. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.77302.

A cross-sectional study exploring the predictors of herpes zoster vaccination for people aged over 50 years old in Chaoyang district, Beijing.

Zhang J, Zhang S, Jia B, Bai Y, Li Z, Liu F Front Public Health. 2025; 12:1486603.

PMID: 39917531 PMC: 11799550. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1486603.

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