The main decision-making competence for willingness-to-pay towards COVID-19 vaccination: a family-based study in Taizhou, China

PURPOSE: This research aimed to explore individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP) and studied the role of family decision makers in WTP for COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: A self-administered online questionnaire evaluating the willingness of community residents to pay for booster vaccination of COVID-19 vaccine was conducted among families in a community in Taizhou, China. The logistic regression model was performed to identify the factors associated with WTP for the COVID-19 vaccines, and all data were analysed by R software, version 4.1.0. RESULTS: 44.2% and 43.7% of 824 community residents were willing to pay for the first two doses and the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. Decision-makers were more willing to pay for both the first two doses and the boost dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, with OR (95%CI) being 1.75 (1.25–2.47) and 1.89 (1.34–2.67), respectively. Besides, participants’ WTP for COVID-19 vaccines were also associated with their occupation and monthly household income. CONCLUSION: This study found that family decision-makers were more willing to pay for both the first two doses and the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines in Taizhou, China. To improve the WTP for COVID-19 vaccines, public policy programs need to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and focus on the role of family decision makers in vaccination. KEY MESSAGES: A study evaluating the willingness of community residents to pay for booster vaccination of COVID-19 vaccine was conducted among families in a community in Taizhou, China. Family decision-makers were more willing to pay for both the first two doses and the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines. To improve the WTP for COVID-19 vaccines, public policy programs need to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and focus on the role of family decision-makers in vaccination.