Herpes zoster vaccine awareness and determinants among chinese adults aged ≥ 60 years: a cross-sectional study

In China, low awareness of the herpes zoster vaccine (HZV) hinders vaccination uptake among older adults. This study aimed to investigate HZV awareness rates and associated factors among older urban Chinese adults to inform targeted interventions.

A cross-sectional survey on the awareness of HZV was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025 among adults aged ≥60 years in 6 cities of China. Univariate and multivariable logistic analyses were performed to evaluate the factors related to the rate of awareness of HZV, including the interaction between income and education.

The overall awareness rate was low at 43.4%. Awareness was significantly associated with self-reported health status, monthly income, educational level, and preretirement occupation (all p < 0.05). A significant synergistic effect was observed, where individuals with both high education and high income demonstrated markedly higher awareness levels.

The awareness of HZV among older adults in urban China is inadequate and inequitably distributed. Significant disparities in awareness, which were linked to socioeconomic status and occupational history, were identified. These findings pinpoint specific, underserved populations that should be prioritized for targeted health education strategies to bridge the knowledge gap and promote informed decision-making regarding HZ vaccination.