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.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Safety, Vaccines, Heterologous, Vaccine uptake, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19 vaccine, vaccination, vaccine doses, pandemic, Clinical characteristics, cross-sectional, COVID-19 vaccination, female, homologous, Analysis, dose, Generalized linear model, Safe, Viral vector vaccine, regimen, public health measure, Side-effect, second vaccination, thematic analysis, second dose, first dose, individual, younger people, regimens, qualitative data, recommendation, females, Ministry of Health, country, socio-demographic, Italian, effective, enrolled, collected, analysed, majority, individuals, homologous or heterologous, chose, 【제목키워드】 Italy, Population,