Exploring factors affecting malaria vaccination intention and COVID-19 vaccine uptake: evidence from a joint analysis...

Current malaria vaccination efforts target infants from 5 months of age; however, adult malaria mortality remains a significant and under-reported issue in high-transmission settings. Concerns are emerging that COVID-19-related vaccine hesitancy may extend to upcoming vaccines, including hypothetical ones such as a malaria vaccine for adults. This study investigates both shared and vaccine-specific determinants of malaria vaccination intention, comparing them with those influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in 2023 among 795 adults residing in the rural area of Niakhar, Senegal. The Health Belief Model served as the analytical framework to identify determinants of vaccination behaviours and intentions. A multivariable bivariate probit model was used to jointly assess factors associated with favourable intentions to receive a hypothetical adult malaria vaccine and actual uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Among surveyed participants, 35.6% had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 58.6% expressed favourable intentions to receive a malaria vaccine, assuming it were available and free of charge. COVID-19-vaccinated individuals were 60% (p < 0.001) more likely to report favourable intentions to receive a malaria vaccine. In the multivariable probit model, perceived disease severity was more strongly associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake, whereas perceived disease susceptibility more strongly predicted favourable intentions to receive a malaria vaccine. Women were more likely to support malaria vaccination (p = 0.005), while adults aged 59 years and older had higher rates of COVID-19 vaccination (p < 0.001).

These findings suggest that although some determinants are vaccine-specific, most are shared across vaccines. The results offer actionable insights to guide future malaria vaccination strategies. Further research in urban settings and across diverse countries is warranted to enhance understanding of cross-vaccine perceptions and to inform targeted communication efforts.