Using protection motivation theory to predict monkeypox vaccination intention among adults in Chongqing, China
Frontiers in Immunology·
- DOI
- 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1871884
- PMID
- —
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W7203654267
- Study type
- Cross-sectional study
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The findings suggest that if monkeypox vaccines are included in future routine recommendations in China, public health interventions should emphasize disease severity, reduce perceived barriers to vaccination, and build confidence to increase uptake among populations with relatively low baseline willingness.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The study examined psychological predictors of monkeypox vaccination intention among Chinese adults using Protection Motivation Theory.
Study design
Cross-sectional online survey of a convenience sample conducted in Chongqing, China, from March to April 2025. Structural equation modeling was used to test relationships between Protection Motivation Theory constructs and vaccination intention.
Population and setting
The study included 805 adults in Chongqing, China, recruited through convenience sampling during a period when no monkeypox vaccine had been approved for marketing in China.
Main findings
Of 805 respondents, 290 intended to vaccinate. Severity perception and self-efficacy positively predicted vaccination intention, while response cost negatively predicted it. Knowledge had indirect effects through risk perception, response efficacy, and self-efficacy. Older age was associated with lower vaccination intention.
Public-health relevance
The findings suggest that if monkeypox vaccines are included in future routine recommendations in China, public health interventions should emphasize disease severity, reduce perceived barriers to vaccination, and build confidence to increase uptake among populations with relatively low baseline willingness.
Important limitations
This summary relies on a single-article abstract and metadata. The study used convenience sampling, which may limit generalizability. Data were collected during a period when monkeypox vaccination was not routinely recommended in China, and intentions may differ from actual vaccine uptake behavior. Full assessment of limitations requires access to the complete published paper.
GIDS interpretation
This article is discoverable through classifier links for monkeypox disease, China as geographic location, and vaccination as topic. These links enable retrieval in systematic literature reviews but do not indicate that the paper was identified through active disease surveillance signals.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 8 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.