COVID-19-related burnout and socio-demographic predictors of booster vaccination intention in the general population: Evidence from Greece

Background: Individuals’ intention to accept vaccination is essential since intention usually predicts final action. Thus, recognizing the factors that influence people’s decision to accept COVID-19 booster vaccination we can improve the coverage rate. Aim: To assess the impact of COVID-19-related burnout and several socio-demographic predictors on booster vaccination intention in the general population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece using a convenience sample from the general population. We created an on-line version of the study questionnaire with Google forms. We measured COVID-19-related burnout with the COVID-19 burnout scale (COVID-19-BS). We measured the following socio-demographic variables: gender, age, educational level, chronic disease, self-perceived health status, SARS-CoV-2 infection, booster dose, resilience and adverse effects because of COVID-19 vaccination. Results: Multivariable linear regression analysis identified that increased COVID-19-related burnout (coefficient beta = -0.38, p-value <0.001) and increased side effects because of COVID-19 vaccination (coefficient beta = -0.15, p-value <0.001) were associated with decreased booster vaccination intention. On the other hand, increased age (coefficient beta = 0.03, p-value <0.001) was related with increased booster vaccination intention. Moreover, individuals who have not been infected with COVID-19 (coefficient beta = -0.81, p-value <0.001) and those who have received a booster dose (coefficient beta = 2.57, p-value <0.001) had a higher intention to accept a boosted dose. Finally, lower educational level (coefficient beta = 0.10, p-value <0.001) was related with higher booster vaccination intention. Conclusions: COVID-19-related burnout and several socio-demographic variables were associated with booster vaccination intention. Identification of predictors of booster vaccination intention is necessary to improve the vaccination coverage among the vulnerable groups.