Associations of altruistic factors and perceptions with intention to receive Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination among older adults in China

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination may become available for older adults in China soon. This study was to investigate behavioral intention to receive self-financed and fully subsidized RSV vaccination among older adults in China. Associations of altruistic factors and perceptions with behavioral intention were also explored. This is a cross-sectional survey conducted in Shenzhen, China between August and October 2024. The sampling frame was Shenzhen residents aged ≥60 y with administrative health records in community health centers (0.94 million in 2021). Multistage random sampling was used. Ten community health centers were first randomly selected. Each selected community center then randomly selected 200 administrative health records of residents aged ≥60 y. A total of 1556 participants completed face-to-face interviews at community health centers. Among the participants, 15.4% and 60.1% intended to receive self-financed and fully subsidized RSV vaccination in the next year. After adjusting for significant background characteristics, general altruism was associated with higher odds of intending to receive a fully subsidized RSV vaccination, but not a self-financed vaccine. Family-oriented altruism (belief that receiving vaccination could protect family members), perceived more benefits, barriers, cue to action, and self-efficacy related to RSV vaccination were associated with higher odds of intending to receive an RSV vaccination under both cost scenarios. In addition, perceived susceptibility and severity of RSV were associated with higher intention to receive a fully subsidized RSV vaccination. The findings had implications for RSV vaccination service planning and health promotion among older adults before and after free vaccines are available in China. Copyright © 2025 The Author(s).