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

Marco Clari, Alessandro Godono, Beatrice Albanesi, Elena Casabona, Rosanna Irene Comoretto, Ihab Mansour, Alessio Conti, Valerio Dimonte and Catalina Ciocan
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Marco Clari: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Alessandro Godono: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Beatrice Albanesi: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Elena Casabona: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Rosanna Irene Comoretto: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Ihab Mansour: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Alessio Conti: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Valerio Dimonte: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Catalina Ciocan: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-9

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; vaccines; heterologous; vaccine uptake; safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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