Vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 immunization among rural young adults

Sara Mann, Kaila Christini, Yan Chai, Chun-Pin Chang, Mia Hashibe, Deanna Kepka, Sara Mann, Kaila Christini, Yan Chai, Chun-Pin Chang, Mia Hashibe, Deanna Kepka

Abstract

Rural young adults may be more averse to receiving a COVID-19 immunization than urban young adults. We aimed to assess differences in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for rural, compared with urban, young adults and characterize modifiable factors. This cross-sectional online survey collected demographic data, vaccination attitudes, and COVID-19 impacts from 2937 young adults, ages 18-26 years, across the western U.S. from October 2020 to April 2021. Rurality was determined by participants' zip code and classified using the rural and urban continuum codes (RUCC). Multivariable logistic regression described adjusted (age, gender, race and ethnicity, being a current student, and month of survey) odds of self-reported intent to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by rurality. Mediation analysis was used to decompose total effects into average direct effects and average causal mediation (indirect) effects. Rural participants had 40% lower odds than urban participants of intending to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after adjustments (adjusted odds ratio, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.50-0.76]). The direct effect remained (P < 0.001), but was mediated by both education (8.3%, P < 0.001) and month in which the survey was taken (23.5%, P < 0.001). We observed a divergence after December 2020 in vaccination intent between rural and urban young adults that widened over time. Hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was greater among rural, compared with urban young adults, and grew disproportionally after December 2020. Mediation by whether one was a current student or not suggests differences in sources of information for vaccination decision-making, and highlights areas for addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccination; Mediation; Rural health behavior and health disparities; Vaccine hesitancy; Young adult health.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
COVID-19 vaccination intent and status as a current student, over time and by geographic area, among young adults (ages 18–26 years) in the western U.S., October 2020-April.

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