Mediating and Moderating Effects Perception of Vulnerability to Adverse Effects of the Influence of a COVID-19 Vaccine or COVID-19 Concern as well as Vaccination Intention among Adults in their 20s

Abstract

Identifying variables was the goal of this investigation. Affecting Plans to vaccinate against COVID-19 and to investigate the mediating and moderating effects of perception of vulnerability to adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines examines the connection between apprehension over COVID-19 as well as vaccination intentions among Korean adults in their 20s. Participants in this study included 161 South Korean 20-something adolescents who were surveyed using an online questionnaire. COVID-19 vaccination intentions differed significantly by gender (t = 10.291, p = .001), occupation (t = 5.430, p = .021), searching for information (t = 6.455 p = .012), number of vaccinations (t = 22.671), p < .001), the dread of COVID-19 (β = .224, p = .002). COVID-19 vaccination intentions in the participants were significantly positively correlated with and apprehension of COVID-19 (r = .251, p <.01) as well as imagined vulnerability to the vaccine’s unfavorable outcomes (r = .362, p < .001). Perceived sensitivity to COVID-19's negative consequences vaccines moderated the connection among COVID-19 anxiety as well as COVID-19 vaccination intentions (b = -.036, 95% CI [-0.07, -0.01], t = - 2.473, p = .015), however, it had no mediating consequence (b = -0.02, 95% CI [-0.06, -0.02]). Vaccination intentions were significantly higher in those with low (b = 0.264, 95% CI [0.143, 0.385], t = 4.316, p < .001) and average (b = 0.191. 95% CI [0.197, 0.286], t = 3.993, p < .001) perceived susceptibility to the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, it is necessary to share the country’s reliable information and adopt appropriate follow-up measures for the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines that can lower perceived susceptibility to the vaccine’s adverse effects among adults in their 20s. In addition, the recommendations for further studies the link between aversion to COVID-19 or vaccinations plus various factors distressing COVID-19 vaccination intentions according to age, and further studies regarding factors affecting estimated sensitivity to COVID-19's detrimental consequences and ways to control them are also suggested.