Designing equitable influenza vaccination services for older adults in rural China: A discrete choice experiment

This peer-reviewed article in Vaccine presents a discrete choice experiment exploring how influenza vaccination services can be designed to better meet the preferences of adults aged 60 years and older in rural Guizhou Province, China. The study surveyed 646 older adults in a multi-ethnic, low-income region of southwest China, using attributes informed by the WHO Behavioural and Social Drivers framework, including price, service location, timing, information source, side effects, and vaccine efficacy. 

Key findings

• Older adults preferred receiving influenza vaccination at trusted community health centres.
• Standard weekday daytime hours were preferred for vaccination services.
• Government announcements and healthcare professionals were the most trusted sources of vaccine information.
• Even a small risk of mild side effects significantly reduced vaccine acceptance and willingness to pay.
• Participants were willing to pay up to US$39 more for vaccination at trusted public facilities, with preferences varying by age, living arrangement, and previous vaccination history.

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